I as Chairman know absolutely nothing about this matter.
As I understand the situation, it is not in your capacity
as a Director that you know anything about it either.
Yet----"

He paused, as if suddenly conscious of some impropriety
in this domestic frankness before a third party,
and Thorpe pounced through his well-mannered hesitation
with the swiftness of a bird of prey.

"Let me suggest," he said roundly, lifting his head and
poising a hand to hold attention, while he thought upon
what it was he should suggest--"this is what I would say.
It seems rather irregular, doesn't it? to debate the matter
in the presence of an outsider. You see it yourself.
That is partly what I meant. Now I have met Mr. Fromentin,"
he gave the name its English vowels with an obstinate emphasis,
"and I have heard his statement. You have heard it too.
If he wishes to lay more facts before us, why, well and good.
But then I would suggest that he leave the matter in
our hands, to discuss and look into between ourselves.
That seems to you the proper course, doesn't it,
Lord Chaldon?"

The French banker had been studying with strained
acuteness the big lymphatic mask of the Director,
with sundry sharp glances aside at the Chairman.
The nervous changes on his alert, meagre old face showed
how intently he followed every phase of their talk.
A certain sardonic perception of evil in the air curled