Then the door closed behind him with a heavy thud, and for the first time since his awakening he was in silence.

The floor, even, was noiseless to his feet.
Howard opened another door, and they were in the first of two contiguous chambers furnished in white and green.

"What Council was that ?" began Graham.

"What were they discussing?
What have they to do with me ?" Howard closed the door carefully, heaved a huge sigh, and said something in an undertone.

He walked slantingways across the room and turned, blowing out his cheeks again.