Tell Robert to find him something in the kitchen,' he added to Frank.
'Some cold meat, whatever he fancies.'
'Payment for services rendered, eh?' said Favell.
'He's done a good day's work for you, Max, hasn't he?'
Frank took Ben out of the room.
Colonel Julyan glanced at Maxim.
'The fellow appeared to be scared stiff,' he said; 'he was shaking like a leaf. I was watching him.
He's never been ill-treated, has he?'
'No,' said Maxim, 'he's perfectly harmless, and I've always let him have the run of the place.'
'He's been frightened at some time,' said Colonel Julyan.
'He was showing the whites of his eyes, just like a dog does when you're going to whip him.'
'Well, why didn't you?' said Favell.
'He'd have remembered me all right if you'd whipped him.
Oh, no, he's going to be given a good supper for his work tonight. Ben's not going to be whipped.'
'He has not helped your case, has he?' said Colonel Julyan quietly; 'we're still where we were.
You can't produce one shred of evidence against de Winter and you know it.
The very motive you gave won't stand the test.
In a court of law, Favell, you wouldn't have a leg to stand on.
You say you were Mrs de Winter's prospective husband, and that you held clandestine meetings with her in that cottage on the beach.
Even the poor idiot we have just had in this room swears he never saw you.
You can't even prove your own story, can you?'
'Can't I?' said Favell.
I saw him smile.
He came across to the fireplace and rang the bell.
'What are you doing?' said Colonel Julyan.
'Wait a moment and you'll see,' said Favell.
I guessed already what was going to happen.
Frith answered the bell.
'Ask Mrs Danvers to come here,' said Favell.
Frith glanced at Maxim.
Maxim nodded shortly.
Frith went out of the room.
'Isn't Mrs Danvers the housekeeper?' said Colonel Julyan.
'She was also Rebecca's personal friend,' said Favell.
'She was with her for years before she married and practically brought her up.
You are going to find Danny a very different sort of witness to Ben.'
Frank came back into the room.
'Packed Ben off to bed?' said Favell.
'Given him his supper and told him he was a good boy?
This time it won't be quite so easy for the trade union.'
'Mrs Danvers is coming down,' said Colonel Julyan.
'Favell seems to think he will get something out of her.'
Frank glanced quickly at Maxim.
Colonel Julyan saw the glance.
I saw his lips tighten.
I did not like it.
No, I did not like it.
I began biting my nails.
We all waited, watching the door.
And Mrs Danvers came into the room.