Aldous turned to the case.
"Half a dozen 'Noblemen,'" he said to the man behind the counter; then, to Rann: "Will you have one on me ?" "With pleasure," said Rann.

He added, smiling straight into the other's eyes, "What are you doing up here, Aldous?
After local colour ?" "Perhaps.

The place interests me." "It's a lively town." "Decidedly.

And I understand that you've played an important part in the making of it," replied Aldous carelessly.
For a flash Rann's eyes darkened, and his mouth hardened, then his white teeth gleamed again.

He had caught the insinuation, and he had scarcely been able to ward off the shot.
"I've tried to do my small share," he admitted.