I did not know whether he intended to tell
Gedge's story to his wife. At any rate, hitherto, he had not done so.

"All the same, my dear Edith," I replied, "Anthony may have a word to
say. I happen to know he has no particular personal friendship for
Boyce, who, if you'll forgive my saying so, has treated you rather
cavalierly for the past two years. Anthony's welcome to-day was purely
public and official. It had nothing to do with his private feelings."

"But they have changed. He was referring to the matter only this
morning at breakfast and suggesting things we could do to lighten the
poor man's affliction."

"I don't think a dinner party would lighten it," I said. "And if I were
you, I wouldn't suggest it to Anthony."

"That's rather mysterious." She looked at me shrewdly. "And there's
another mysterious thing. Anthony's like a yapping sphinx over it. What
were you two talking to Gedge about this morning?" "Nothing particular."

"That's nonsense, Duncan. Gedge was making himself unpleasant. He never
does anything else."

"If you want to know," said I, with a convulsive effort of invention,
"we heard that he was preparing some sort of demonstration, going to
bring down some of his precious anti-war-league people."

"He wouldn't have the pluck," she exclaimed.

"Anyhow," said I, "we thought we had better have him in and read him
the Riot--or rather the Defence of the Realm--Act. That's all."

"Then why on earth couldn't Anthony tell me?"

"You ought to know the mixture of sugar and pepper in your husband's
nature better than I do, my dear Edith," I replied.

Her laugh reassured me. I had turned a difficult corner. No doubt she
would go to Sir Anthony with my explanation and either receive his
acquiescence or learn the real truth.

She was bidding me farewell when Sir Anthony came along the platform to
the chair. I glanced up, but I saw that he did not wish to speak to me.
He was looking grim and tired. He called down to his wife:

"It's time to move, dear. The troops are still standing outside."

She bustled about giving the signal for departure, first running to
Boyce and taking him by the sleeve. I had not noticed that he had
withdrawn with Betty a few feet away from the little group. They were
interrupted in an animated conversation. At the sight I felt a keen
pang of repulsion. Those two ought not to talk together as old friends.
It outraged decencies. It was all very well for Betty to play the
ma