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In anundertone to Chloe he said: I dont really know why he should, doyou? He
picked up the Stone and settledhimself in his armchair.
As Iunderstand it, all
the past still exists and its merely a matter ofchoosing your point of
view.
Only take care you dont get caught up in the past too, pallisersaid.
Why,
that we shall see, Lord Arglay said. O in her its either a duty or a
generosity, Lord Arglay said, butfor a secretary its a safeguard.
I only want
to stop him doing anythingat all with the Stone.
As the others jumped and gaped
Arglay said to Chloe, You cant do anymore.
He pausedand considered Chloe with
an anxious protectiveness.
Sheldrake jerked upright and Reginald stared
downwards. They must either abandon theStone to chance and itself or they must
seek to possess it.
The Professor tried, with a little more success. Sheldrake,
his mouth open indismay, caught up two or three of the Stones and looked at
them.
The knife had shut on herfingers and blood was on her hand. Go before the
Foreign Secretary andthat Gadarene swine return. Lord Birlesmere, Sir Giles
said, unless you stop that hellcat ofArglays Ill ruin everything.
And what on
earth is happeningto this child?
Do be careful, Chloe said, with considerable
restraint. Thenhe said: I think, gentlemen, there is nothing more that can
profitablybe done now. And besides them whatelse had there been in her life?
He
took her to the door, and as hereturned was met by Mr. So far as we know, he
bought it, Lord Arglay pointed out.
Sir Giles, theStone clasped in one hand and
his open knife still in the other, mether with a snarl. ButArglay and this
girl-you do or you say you do. What a time Giles is, showing Birlesmere the
tombs inWestminster Abbey!
Dont crowd me,gentlemen, he went on, or I shall have
to remove myself at once. He must be talking to herabout something-even
God.
And now Ive urged her to, just to pleasehim.
My uncle gave it me, Reginald
said very quickly.
I almost wish, he thought, shed flownat mine. Whatsthis
blithering imbecility about protecting God? Well, there are prisons-and
workhouses-and hospitals-and barracks,Birlesmere answered slowly.
And being an
incurable romantic, Arglay said, you hate him beingmerely utilitarian.
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