"Then we will be out in the tandem. If you kill him, or the other way, just do it outside, will you, so as not to make a mess? Now we'll lunch, and then Bob, my boy, we'll evaporate."
It was about three o'clock when Stafford arrived. He had managed to catch the 1:30 from London, and must have started the moment he had read his letter. He was shown into the billiard-room, where Eugene was restlessly smoking a cigar.
He came swiftly up, and held out his hand, saying:
"This is like you, my dear old fellow. Not another man in England would have done it."
"Nonsense!" replied Eugene. "I ought to have done more."
"More? How?"
"I ought to have waited till you came before I went to see her."
"No, no; that would have been too much."
He was quite calm and cool; apparently there was nothing on his mind, and he spoke of Eugene's visit as if it concerned him little.
"I daresay you're surprised at all this," he continued, "but I can't talk about that now. It would upset me again. Beside, there's no time."