Page:The Black Moth.pdf/323

 “I’ll see to that,” promised O’Hara.

Andrew came across the room and bowed awkwardly to my lord, stammering a little. Carstares held out his hand.

“Lord, Andy! I scarce knew you!”

After a moment’s hesitation, Andrew took the outstretched hand and answered, laughingly. But my lord had not failed to notice the hesitation, short though it had been.

“I—beg your pardon. I had forgot,” he said stiffly.

Andrew sat down beside him, rather red about the ears.

“Oh, stuff. Jack! I’m a clumsy fool, but I did not mean that!”

Richard stepped forward into the full light of the candles.

“If you will all listen to me one moment, I shall be greatly obliged,” he said steadily.

Lord John started forward.

“Dick!” he cried, warningly, and would have gone to him, but for O’Hara’s hand on his shoulder, dragging him back.

“Ah, now, be aisy,” growled Miles. “Let the man say it!”

“Hold your tongue, O’Hara! Dick, wait one moment! I want to speak to you!”

Richard never glanced at him.

“I am about to tell you something that should have been told—seven years ago”

“Once and for all, I forbid it!” snapped my lord, trying to disengage himself from O’Hara’s grip.

Miles leant over him.

“See here, me boy, if ye don’t keep a still tongue in your head, its meself that’ll be gagging you, and that’s that!”

My lord swore at him.

Diana laid a gentle hand on his arm.