A little later Lord Chiltern went up to see Catherine.
“I’d like to talk to her as soon as I can,” Major Lewis explained. “I don’t want to disturb her unduly, but I think it’s very necessary to get her story at once.”
Lord Chiltern nodded. His lips closed more tightly as he left the room. Lewis glanced covertly at Boyd, who was staring stonily into the fire.
“Good Lord,” he groaned, after Lord Chiltern had gone; “surely Scoville wasn’t so abandoned in profligacy as not to have a spot of whisky in this perishin’ house. I’ve got to have a drink, and maybe two.”
Lewis looked at his watch. “Well,” he said cheerfully, “the pubs are open. Call in Flora and Hicks as you go out, will you? I want to see them. Some very queer things about this business, Richard.”
I volunteered to get them, and
