in spite of himself, distrusting it.

"Good-bye, 'Toinette.... It's really good-bye _this_ time. And I wish you
all the happiness you deserve."

"Thank you."

He looked into her eyes a moment, and then with a sudden sigh turned
quickly away and went out of the room. Brellier strode after him and
wrung his hand while the two that were left clung to each other in
silence. It was as though an unseen, sinister presence had suddenly gone
from the room. The tension was lifted, and they could breathe naturally
again.

Standing together they heard the front door slam.




CHAPTER V

THE SPECTRE AT THE FEAST


Merriton, clad in his evening clothes and looking exceedingly handsome,
stood by the smoking room door, with Tony West, short and thickset,
wearing a suit that fitted badly and a collar which looked sizes too
large for him (Merriton had long given up hope of making him visit a
decent tailor) and waited for the sound of motor wheels which would
announce the arrival of further guests.