"Madame lifted her riding whip and lashed him with it three or four times across the head and shoulders."
Before anybody could stop him, Gumley started to his feet, and pointing to a livid whelt across his cheek, exclaimed in hoarse accents, "Ay, and here's the mark to bear witness to it--curse her!"
Sir John turned on him with an admonitory frown. "Silence, man, or it will be worse for you!"
Then Draycot whispered sternly to him, and he resumed his seat, sullenly enough.
Sir John turned again to Lucille. "What followed?"
"Madame turned and came back indoors, while he--the polisson!--sprang to his feet and shook his clenched hand, and called after her, 'You will live to be sorry for this day's work, my fine Madam, for I'll have my revenge if I swing for it!' The same evening he was discharged by madame's orders."
Again Gumley started to his feet. "That's a lie!" he called out. "What I said was, 'If you was my wife, my fine madam, dash my limbs if I wouldn't break every bone in your body, though I had to swing for it!'
"Shut up, you fool," said Draycot in a fierce whisper, as he pulled him down into his seat.
"Will you be quiet, fellow?" snarled Sir John. Then to Lucille: "You recognize the locket found in this man's possession as having been the property of Mrs. Drelincourt?"
"Oui, monsieur."