"By and by, Colonel Barrington will talk to you." Barrington thanked him with a gesture, and glanced at the rest.

"One would have preferred to carry out this inquiry more privately," he said, very slowly, but with hoarse distinctness.

"Still, you have already heard so much." Dane nodded.

"I fancy you are right, sir.

Because we have known and respected the man who has, at least, done a good deal for us, it would be better that we should hear the rest." Barrington made a little gesture of agreement, and once more fixed his eyes on Winston.