Torrington leaned forward.

"Does he know what we want of him?"

"Roughly. I said it was to occupy a flat for three weeks."

"Ah! Barraclough, I am disposed to think you would do wisely to retire
into the next room while we interview this young gentleman. The less
he knows the better."

"Quite."

"There isn't a cupboard, I suppose, where you could fix yourself up
with an easy chair until--well until the kidnapping is over."

"There's a wine cupboard."

"Excellent. We'll have a word together before you go."

There was a knock and Doran came in and addressed Cranbourne.

"The gentleman wishes to have a word with you, sir."

"Half a second," said Barraclough. "I'll slip out through the bedroom.
There's a second door into the hall. Righto, Doran."

He disappeared, closing the door after him.

"The gentleman, sir," Doran announced.

Richard Frencham Altar came into the room. The privations of the
preceding three days had paled him a trifle. His eyes glittered
brightly and there was a hint of nervousness in the tenseness of his
lower lip.

Doran went out. Richard closed the door and turned to face the
company. Mr. Torrington leaned forward and as though by accident
twitched down the table lamp shade that the light might be thrown on
the newcomer's face. Lord Almont gasped and even Cassis was startled
by the phenomenal likeness. Mr. Torrington nodded approval.

Richard's eyes went quickly from one to another. Then his hand moved
to his throat and covered the empty space where his tie should have
been. No one spoke and under the battery of glances his muscles
tightened resentfully and his head jerked slightly to one side.

"Anything so very peculiar about my appearance?" he demanded.

Mr. Torrington was first to recover his composure and he rose with
difficulty.

"You justly reproach our manners, Mr.--er----"

"Anything you like," said Richard, then with a flash of memory, "Oh, my
name is Tidd--John Tidd."

"By gad, it's amazing," gasped Lord Almont.

Mr. Torrington waved his hand toward a chair but Richard shook his head.

"No, thanks--won't sit down. I came because I promised this gentleman
to do so--but----"

"I find it a little trying to stand," said Mr. Torrington.

"Oh, I beg your pardon, sir. For a minute then."

With an air of unwillingness he occupied a chair.

"A little whiskey and soda?" Lord Almont suggested.

"Not for me."

"Cigarette?"

"Ah! I'm a pernicious