He knew that he was not wanted there, that husband and wife wished to be alone and silently resented his presence.

But he could not go without more knowledge than he had.
"A message came up on the tape half an hour ago," he said in a low voice.
"It reported that Ballantyne was dead." "Yes," replied Repton.

He was leaning forward over a table and looking up to the chandelier as if he fancied that its light burnt more dimly than was usual.
"That's true," and he spoke in the same strange mechanical voice he had used before.
"That he was found dead outside his tent," Thresk added.
"It's quite true," Repton agreed.

"We are very sorry." "Sorry!" The exclamation burst from Thresk's lips.
"Yes." Repton moved away from the chandelier.

He had not looked at Thresk once since he had entered the room; nor did he look towards his wife.