"A gentleman to see you, sir."
"To see me? Who is it?"
"He says his name's Ayre, and he hopes you'll see him."
"I can't see him at this time of night," said Stafford, with the petulance of weariness. Why did the man bother him?
But Ayre had followed close on his messenger, and entered the room as Stafford spoke.
"Pray forgive me, Mr. Stafford," he said, "for intruding on you so unceremoniously."
Stafford received him with courtesy, but did not succeed in concealing his questioning as to the motive of the visit.
Ayre took the chair his host gave him.
"You think this a very strange proceeding on my part, I dare say?"
"How did you know I was here?"