"These three questions will do as a beginning. When you have answered
these, there is a number more. Now, sir."
The last two words were rapped out sharply. Robin opened his eyes.
"As to the first two questions," he whispered. "These assume that I am
a priest myself. Yet that is what you, have to prove against me. The
third question concerns ... concerns my loyalty to my friends. But I
will tell you--"
"Yes?" (The voice was sharp and eager.)
"I will tell you the names of two friends of each of those gentlemen you
have named."
A pen suddenly scratched on paper. He could not see who held it.
"Yes?" said the voice again.
"Well, sir. The names of two of the friends of Mr. FitzHerbert are, Mr.
Bassett and Mr. Fenton. The names--"
"Bah!" (The word sounded like the explosion of a gun.)
"You are playing with us--"
"The names," murmured the priest slowly, "of two of Mr. Fenton's friends
are Mr. FitzHerbert and--"
A face, upside-down, thrust itself suddenly almost into his. He could
feel the hot breath on his forehead.
"See here, Mr. Alban. You are fooling us. Do you think this is a
Christmas game? I tell you it is not yet three o'clock. There are three
hours more yet--"
A smooth, sad voice interrupted. (The reversed face vanished.)
"You have threatened the prisoner," it said, "but you have not yet told
him the alternative."
"No, my lord.... Yes, my lord. Listen, Mr. Alban. My lord here says that
if you will answer these questions he will use his influence on your
behalf.
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