“Madam,” Andrew answered, “I am a magistrate, and I could sign a warrant on the spot.  I do not, however, feel justified in going to such lengths.  I feel sure that if Major Forrest is wanted, we shall be able to find him.”

“Of course you will,” the Princess intervened calmly.  “Men like Major Forrest do not run away just because some one chooses to make a ridiculous charge against them.  If only I could get Jeanne, I would leave myself to-night.”

“My dear Princess,” Cecil said, “I hope that you do not mean it.  My brother has said more than he means, I am sure.”

“I have said less.”  Andrew replied.  “I have the very best reasons for believing that Major Forrest has lied his way into whatever friendship he may have had with Lord Ronald and my brother.”

Forrest moved toward the door.

“Mr. De la Borne,” he said to Cecil, “you will forgive me if I decline to remain here to be insulted by your brother.”

The Princess followed him from the room.  Cecil and Andrew were alone.

“D—­n you, Andrew!” the former said, turning upon him, whitefaced, and with a sort of petulant anger.  “Why do you come here and spoil things like this?”

Andrew stood upon the hearthrug, and looked at his brother, black and forbidding.

“Cecil,” he said, “my life has been spoilt by paying for your excesses.  Ever since I came of age I have been hampered all the time by paying your debts and providing you with money.  I even let you pose here as the master of the Red Hall because it pleased you.  I have had enough of it.  If you run up any more debts, you must pay them yourself.  I am master here and I intend to remain so.”

Cecil was suddenly pale.

“Do you mean,” he asked, “that you intend to remain here now?”

Andrew hesitated.

“Your guests are leaving,” he said.  “Why not?”

“But they may not go until to-morrow or the next day,” Cecil said.  “I cannot turn them out.”

Andrew stood for a moment looking thoughtfully at the door.

“They cannot stay more than a day,” he said, “if Major Forrest is really their friend.  In any case, I shall not return until they are gone.”

Cecil’s face cleared a little, but he was still perplexed.

“They had just promised,” he said, “to stay another week.”

“If you wish to entertain the Princess and Miss Le Mesurier,” Andrew said, “and they are willing to stop after what has passed, I have nothing, of course, to say against it.  But the man Forrest I will not have here.  If ever cheat and coward were written in a man’s face, your friend carries the marks in his.”

“He has won nothing to speak of from me here,” Cecil declared.

“You are probably too small game,” Andrew answered.  “How about Engleton?  Did he lose?”

“I am not sure,” Cecil answered.  “Not very much, if anything.”

The Princess came rustling back.  She held her little spaniel up to her cheek, and she affected not to notice the somewhat strained attitude of the two men.  She went at once to Andrew.