‘That will do, Mike.’
Mike departed. The two men ignited cigars and drank. Each was seated in a large easy-chair.
‘Now for it,’ said Richard to himself.
Mr. Raphael Craig coughed.
‘I dare say, Mr. Redgrave,’ the bank manager began, ‘that certain things which you have seen this evening will have struck you as being somewhat strange.’
‘I am happy to have been of any help,’ said Richard.
Raphael bowed.
‘I will not disguise from you,’ he continued, that when you arrived here in such a peculiar manner last night I had my suspicious of your good faith. I even thought for a moment—it was very foolish of me—that you were from Scotland Yard. I don’t know why I should have thought that, but I did think it.’
‘Really,’ said Richard, ‘I have not the least connection with Scotland Yard. I told you my business.’
‘I believe you,’ said Raphael. ‘I merely mention the course of my thoughts concerning you. I am fully convinced now that, despite certain unusual items connected with your visit, you are exactly what you said you were, and for my doubts I now offer apology. To tell you the truth, I inquired from the Williamson Company this morning as to you, and was quite reassured by what they said. But,’ Mr. Craig went on, with a very pronounced ‘but,’ interrupting Richard, who had embarked on some protest—‘but I have at the same time been forced to the conclusion, Mr. Redgrave, that my household, such as it is, and my ways, such as they are, have roused in you a curiosity which is scarcely worthy of yourself. I am a fairly good judge of character, and I know by infallible signs that you have a nature far above idle curiosity.’