"How are we to read your parable? Are you the debtor bound hand and foot, and is your brother the astute steward?"
Hugh Ritson's foot fell heavily.
"Is it so?" he said, catching at the word. "Then be it so;" and his voice rose to a shrill cry. "That steward shall come to the ground, and his master with him!"
At that he stepped back to where Drayton stood with eyes as full of bewilderment as frenzy.
"Paul Lowther—" he said.
"Call me Paul Ritson," interrupted Drayton.
"Paul Lowther—"
"Ritson!" Drayton shouted, and then, dropping his voice, he said, rapidly: "You gave it me, and by God I'll keep it!"
Hugh Ritson leaned across the table and tapped a paper that lay on it.
"That is your name," he said, "and I'll prove it."