*    *    *    *    *

His face had turned crimson and assumed a bulbous expression, and he was staring straight
ahead of him with a piteous effort to ignore what manifestly would not be ignored.

*    *    *    *    *

I had never before actually seen one of Ukridge's creditors in action, but he had frequently
given me to understand that they lurked all over London like leopards in the jungle,
waiting to spring on him.

*    *    *    *    *

Ukridge was at his most spacious. Quickly establishing himself on the footing
of a friend of the family, he took charge of the whole affair. Introductions
sped to and fro, and in a few moving words he explained the situation, while I
remained mute and insignificant in my corner and Frederick the chauffeur stared
at his oil-gauge with a fathomless eye.

*    *    *    *    *

At this moment he disappeared. It was so swiftly done that he seemed to have been
snatched up to heaven. Only the searching odour of his powerful tobacco lingered
to remind me that he had once been at my side, and only the slam of the front door
told me where he had gone.

*    *    *    *    *