"Damned scoundrels--look at this! My wife's scarf--is she here? By God, if she is, I'll find her if I have to kill you one by one and wreck this hellish place--" "Fellow's drunk!" suggested some one, whereupon Anthony cursed them one and all, and I heard the sharp click of the pistol as he cocked it, but I restrained him with a gesture: "Mr. Trenchard," said I, "Mr. Haredale--Devereux or whatever name you happen to be using, I have forced myself upon you to-night to inform you that, knowing you at last for the foul and loathsome thing you are, I am very earnest that you should pollute the world no longer. Two years ago you struck me in the yard behind the Chequers Inn, at Tonbridge; I call upon you to account for that blow to-night--here and now!" "Let any man stir and I shoot to kill!" said Anthony between shut teeth; his heavy tread shook the floor behind me, then he had swung me aside and fronted Devereux the pistol in his hand, face convulsed and murder glaring in his eyes. "Trenchard," said he in strange, hissing whisper, "there is a curtained door behind you--whom are you hiding in there? Trenchard, I am yearning to kill you and kill you I will, so help me God, unless you draw that curtain and open that door--d'ye hear me?" Trenchard's tall form seemed to stiffen, his mocking smile vanished, but his eyes never wavered. Anthony levelled the pistol. "Trenchard," said he softly, "I'll count three!" Then Trenchard laughed lightly. "Egad, sir," said he with a flourish, "drunk or no, you have a devilish persuading air about you. Behold then, and judge of my felicity!" Thus speaking, he drew aside the curtain and reached white hand towards the door behind, but at this moment and before he could touch it, the door swung open and Diana stepped forth. "Mr. Vere-Manville," said she, her soft voice calm and even, "pray give me my scarf, your wife made me a present of it days ago!" And she reached out her hand with the old, imperious gesture that I remembered so well. So Anthony gave her the handful of lace and turned his back upon us. "O Perry!" he exclaimed with a groan, "O Perry, dear friend--what have I done! God forgive me--" "Heavens, Anthony!" quoth I. "Pray why distress yourself upon a matter so trivial--besides, I knew already. And now, Mr. Trenchard or Haredale or Devereux, if this lady will be so obliging as to retire, we can settle our small concern very comfortably here across the table." "No, Peregrine!" said Diana in the same even tone. "Mr. Trenchard--" I began. "I say you shall not, Peregrine!" said she softly. "Mr. Haredale--" quoth I. "O Peregrine," she sighed, "suspicion has poisoned your mind against me or you would never stoop to doubt me--even here--" "Mr. Devereux," said I, "will you pray have the courtesy to desire your charming friend to leave us awhile--"