"Don't take that thing with you," screamed Mrs. Pett, as he rose. "You might drop it. Come back for it." "Very well." Conversation flagged after Willie's departure. The presence of the test-tube seemed to act on the spirits of the company after the fashion of the corpse at the Egyptian banquet. Howard Bemis, who was sitting next to it, edged away imperceptibly till he nearly crowded Ann off her chair. Presently Willie returned. He picked up the test-tube, put it in his pocket with a certain jauntiness, and left the room again. "Now, if you hear a sudden bang and find yourself disappearing through the roof," said Jimmy, "that will be it." Willie returned and took his place at the table again. But the spirit had gone out of the gathering. The voice of Clarence Renshaw was hushed, and Howard Bemis spoke no more of the influence of Edgar Lee Masters on modern literature. Mrs. Pett left the room, followed by Ann. The geniuses drifted away one by one. Jimmy, having lighted a cigarette and finished his coffee, perceived that he was alone with his old friend, Lord Wisbeach, and that his old friend Lord Wisbeach was about to become confidential. The fair-haired young man opened the proceedings by going to the door and looking out. This done, he returned to his seat and gazed fixedly at Jimmy. "What's your game?" he asked. Jimmy returned his gaze blandly. "My game?" he said. "What do you mean?" "Can the coy stuff," urged his lordship brusquely. "Talk sense and talk it quick. We may be interrupted at any moment. What's your game? What are you here for?" Jimmy raised his eyebrows. "I am a prodigal nephew returned to the fold." "Oh, quit your kidding. Are you one of Potter's lot?" "Who is Potter?" "You know who Potter is." "On the contrary. My life has never been brightened by so much as a sight of Potter." "Is that true?" "Absolutely." "Are you working on your own, then?" "I am not working at all at present. There is some talk of my learning to be an Asparagus Adjuster by mail later on." "You make me sick," said Lord Wisbeach. "Where's the sense of trying to pull this line of talk. Why not put your cards on the table? We've both got in here on the same lay, and there's no use fighting and balling the thing up." "Do you wish me to understand," said Jimmy, "that you are not my old friend, Lord Wisbeach?" "No. And you're not my old friend, Jimmy Crocker." "What makes you think that?" "If you had been, would you have pretended to recognise me upstairs just now? I tell you, pal, I was all in for a second, till you gave me the high sign." Jimmy laughed. "It would have been awkward for you if I really had been Jimmy Crocker, wouldn't it?" "And it would have been awkward for you if I had really been Lord Wisbeach." "Who are you, by the way?" "The boys call me Gentleman Jack." "Why?" asked Jimmy, surprised. Lord Wisbeach ignored the question.