e. We will discuss them side by side as
sybarites, hang ourselves around with cigarette smoke, drink wine, and
presently coffee. It is necessary, is it not, for many reasons, that we
become better acquainted? You realise that, I am sure, and you will not
persist in returning to your selfish solitude."

Hamel's eyes were fixed a little longingly upon some of the volumes with
which the table was covered.

"You must not think me ungrateful or churlish, Mr. Fentolin," he begged.
"I have a habit of keeping promises which I make to myself, and to-night
I have made myself a promise that I will be back at the Tower by ten
o'clock."

"You are obdurate?" Mr. Fentolin asked softly.

"I am afraid I am."

Mr. Fentolin busied himself with the handle of his chair.

"Tell me," he insisted, "is there any other person save yourself to whom
you have given this mysterious promise?"

"No one," Hamel replied promptly.

"I am a person very sensitive to atmosphere," Mr. Fentolin continued
slowly. "Since the unfortunate visit of this man Dunster, I seem to have
been conscious of a certain suspicion, a little cloud of suspicion
under which I seem to live and move, even among the members of my own
household. My sister-in-law is nervous and hysterical; Gerald has been
sullen and disobedient; Esther has avoided me. And now--well, I find
even your attitude a little difficult to understand. What does it mean,
Mr. Hamel?"

Hamel shook his head.

"I am not in the confidence of the different members of your family," he
answered. "So far as I, personally, am concerned--"

"It pleases me sometimes," Mr. Fentolin interrupted, "to interfere to
some extent in the affairs of the outside world. If I do so, that is
my business. I do it for my own amusement. It is at no time a serious
position which I take up. Have I by any chance, Mr. Hamel, become an
object of suspicion to you?"

"There are matters in which you are concerned," Hamel admitted, "which I
do not understand, but I see no purpose in discussing them."

Mr. Fentolin wheeled his chair round in a semicircle. He was now between
the door and Hamel.

"Weaker mortals than I, Mr. Hamel," he said calmly, "have wielded
before now the powers of life and death. From my chair I can make the
lightnings bite. Science has done away with the triumph of muscularity.
Even as we are here together at this moment, Mr. Hamel, if we should
disagree, it is I who am the preordained victor."

Hamel saw the