Ludlow continued in the same easy tone, 'Yesterday when Miss Tormic was suddenly confronted with Driscoll's ugly accusation, naturally she was flustered. Impulsively and perhaps foolishly, she denied having been in the locker room. Hearing that denial, I was a little flustered myself. It would have produced a most unfortunate impression if I had contradicted her on the spot, so I temporized and confirmed her statement that she had been with me continuously in the end room. But, as it turned out, that was no go. Driscoll was positive that it was Miss Tormic he had seen with his coat. Miss Reade and Mr Gill both declared that they had seen her in the hall near the door of the locker room shortly prior to four-thirty. So it was clear that the only thing for it was the truth, which is that while we were fencing yesterday the strap of my pad broke and I had to change it, and we felt like a cigarette and found that we had none, and while I was changing the pad she took my key and went to the locker room for my cigarettes.'
I had left his face and was concentrating on Neya's, but I couldn't read it. It wasn't alarmed or angry or pleased; I would have said it was more puzzled than anything else; but that seemed unlikely, so I scored myself zero. There was a buzz around the room which stopped when Miltan remarked, more to space than to any audience, 'So! So she was there!'
Ludlow nodded negligently. 'Oh, yes, she was there, but it was my coat she had, not Driscol's. No doubt of it, because she returned with my cigarette-case and lighter. We had a few puffs together, and we were fencing again when word came that Miltan wished to see Miss Tormic-'
He stopped, and lost his audience. The door had opened, and two men entered. The one in front was a grey-haired guy with a full cargo of dignity and an air that invited respect, and behind him, practically hiding behind him, was a plump specimen about fifty-one years old with thick lips and bald eyebrows. They came on in and Miltan met them.
'We've been waiting for you, Mr Driscoll-'
'I'm sorry,' the plump one stammered, edging around. 'Very sorry… unh… this is Mr Thompson, my lawyer-Mr Miltan…'
As the grey-haired one extended a hand for the shake he conceded the point without reservation or qualification. 'I am Mr Driscoll's counsel. I thought it best to come personally-this regrettable affair-extremely regrettable… Will you kindly introduce me to Miss Tormic? If you will be so good…'
That was done by Miltan, who looked a little bewildered. The lawyer's bow was courteous and respectful, as was his verbal acknowledgement; Neya stood motionless and silent. He turned. 'These people-are these the persons whom Mr Driscoll-before whom he accused Miss Tormic-'
Miltan nodded. 'We've been waiting for him, to-'
'I know. We're late. My client was reluctant to come, and I had to persuade him that his presence was necessary. Miss Tormic, what I have to say is addressed primarily to you, but these others should hear it-in fact, they must hear it, in justice to you. First for the facts. When Mr Driscoll left his home yesterday morning he had in his pocket a pillbox containing diamonds which he intended to take to a jeweller to be set in a bracelet. From his office he phoned the jeweller and discussed the matter. His secretary took the box of diamonds to arrange for their delivery. They are at the jeweller's now. Here, later, Mr Driscoll, lamentably and inexcusably, but innocently, forgot that his secretary-'
A clatter of comment from all corners interrupted him. He smiled at Neya, but got nothing in return. Driscoll had a handkerchief out, wiping his brow, trying to find a place to look without meeting a pair of eyes. Miltan sputtered:
'Do you mean to say that this infamous-this irresponsible-?'
'Please!' The lawyer had a hand up. 'Please let me finish. Mr Driscoll's lapse of memory was inexcusable. But he was honestly convinced that he had seen Miss Tormic with his coat-'
'It was my coat,' Ludlow snapped. 'Of the same pattern. I have it on.'
'I see. Well. That explains that. Was it in the same locker?'
'The one adjoining.' Ludlow was severe. 'But Mr Driscoll should know that before making a grave accusation-'
'Certainly he should.' The lawyer conceded everything again. 'Even the coincidence of the coats is no excuse for him. That's why I insisted on his coming, to make his apology to Miss Tormic in the presence of all of you. His reluctance is understandable. He is extremely embarrassed and humiliated.' He eyed his client. 'Well?'
Driscoll, gripping his handkerchief, faced Neya Tormic. 'I apologize,' he mumbled. 'I'm damn sorry.' The mumble became abruptly and surprisingly an outraged roar: 'Of course I'm sorry, damn it!'
Someone giggled. Nikola Miltan said grimly, 'You certainly should be sorry. It might have been disastrous, both for Miss Tormic and for me.'
'I know it. I've said I'm sorry, and I am.'
The lawyer put in smoothly and sweetly, 'I hope, Miss Tormic… may we hope for an expression from you-of forgiveness? Of-er-quittance?' He took an envelope from his pocket. 'In fact, I thought it would be as well for you to have Mr Driscoll's written apology to support his oral one, so I brought it along'-he got a paper from the envelope-'and I brought also a quittance, just an informal sentence or two, which I'm sure you will want to sign for him in return-'
'Just a minute.' It was me entering on my cue. 'I represent Miss Tormic.'
The way he went on guard like lightning, facially, was a treat. He demanded, 'Who are you, sir? A lawyer?'
'Nope, I'm not a lawyer, but I speak English and I represent Miss Tormic, and we're not before a court. She isn't signing anything.'
'But, my dear sir, why not? Merely an informal-'
'That's the trouble, it's too informal. For instance, what if Miltan here gets sore about this fracas, though it's not her fault, and she loses her job? Or what if this thing had been turned loose around town and she can't catch up with it? Nothing doing on the quittance.'
'I have no intention,' Miltan put in, 'of dismissing Miss Tormic. But I agree that it is not necessary for her to sign anything. I am quite sure she will have no desire to make trouble for Mr Driscoll.' He looked at
