Bertrand returned punctually at two-thirty.
"You're late, George," he said. "Hallo, are you seedy? You look as if you'd seen a ghost."
"I have," I said. "Look here, I've got a peculiarly revolting story to tell you. D'you like it now or in the morning?"
"I'm not very keen to have it any time," Bertrand answered, with a distaste in his tone.
"I'm afraid you must. Raney's back from the Front and staying here——"
"Raney?"
"Yes, and there are one or two things that mustn't be mentioned before him. I only want to put you on your guard."
"Oh, if that's all ... drive along; I may as well sleep on it."
"If you can," I said. "You remember that story of Longton's I told you?"
"About the man...." My uncle shuddered. "Please don't let's have that again."