Harold remained silent, amazed at the change. Leonard went on, quite awake and coherent:

‘By George! I must have been pretty well cut. I don’t remember a thing after coming down the stairs of the club and you and the hall- porter helping me up here. I say, old chap, you have strapped me up all safe and tight. It was good of you to take charge of me. I hope I haven’t been a beastly nuisance!’ Harold answered grimly:

‘It wasn’t exactly what I should have called it!’ Then, after looking keenly at his companion, he said: ‘Are you quite awake and sober now?’

‘Quite.’ The answer came defiantly; there was something in his questioner’s tone which was militant and aggressive.