Turning for a second to Lord Penshurst, he said, “Get back to the middle of the ball-room.”
The Prime Minister had no other course but to obey.
Melun next proceeded to deal with those guests who were nearest to the door.
“All of you,” he said in a tone of easy command, “all of you get back beyond the chandelier.”
He pointed to the great cut-glass candelabra which hung from the ceiling.
Here and there a woman gave a little scream, but for the most part the people who had been so rudely disturbed were very quiet.
Melun watched the retreat through his mask, and when all the guests had crowded together at the end of the room he gave them further orders.
“All the men step to the front!”
The men looked angrily and defiantly at Melun and his companions, but they had no option in the matter, for a dozen revolvers were pointed in their direction with unwavering nozzles.
Sullenly, angrily, the men came forward, and formed a long chain before the women, who clung together in terror or sat huddled on chairs, holding their faces in their hands. There was a pause, and Lord Penshurst turned towards his guests.