Ian Hay

“ Uncle Tony suddenly extended an appealing hand.
‘Captain Conway,’ he said earnestly, ‘you are a man of very exceptional talents and ability. Why don’t you run straight? Why don’t you play the game?’
Cradock laughed, pleasantly enough.
‘Too boring, my old friend. Too humdrum! Too—easy! Life is so much more entertaining if one avoids the beaten path of virtue. That’s my answer. Now, I want a little chat with Mrs. Cradock. Will you excuse us?’
‘Certainly—not!’ said Uncle Tony, sitting heavily upon a chair.
Cradock made an almost imperceptible signal to his wife. She stepped forward mechanically. ”

“ He—he does foolish things at times. He has knocked about the world; he hasn’t got our point of view. Be patient with him, Uncle Tony: I’ll see he doesn’t do anything wrong. Only’—Mildred’s hands were clasped in unaccustomed entreaty—‘please, please don’t try to find out anything about him. If he were pressed too hard—’
Sir Anthony regarded her curiously. ”

“ She simply closed up like a trap.’
‘That type of old servant,’ remarked Sir Anthony, ‘would rather go to the stake than betray a domestic secret. Our military friend is quite safe so far as Thwaites is concerned, I should say.’
‘You’re right,’ said Joan. ‘Have you said anything to Mother yet?’
‘No. I have had no opportunity.’
‘Well, I wish you would. I don’t like the way Captain Conway is getting Denny under his thumb. So long as Denny was in training for the races, things were all right ”