At that moment a clock tinkled the quarter past somewhere.
'Quarter-past eight. Will you help me?'
At his direct appeal I found that I had been thinking only of Helen, seeing her and Osmund outside that door, wanting to be with her, longing. . . .
But at the urgency of his voice I swung right round. I, as it were, jerked myself, my brain, my consciousness, my determination into another position.
'Yes,' I said, 'I'll help you.'
'There's only one thing to do. We've got to get it into the car. It isn't very pleasant, but we must manage it. Wait--I'll go out and get his hat and coat.'
He opened the door, peered out, then went, closing the door behind him.
I had been standing near the window while he was speaking to me, and the moment he was gone Hench sprang up and laid his trembling ha
