“Come in,” I said, cheerfully.
He started very uneasily and then mumbled: “I thought you didn’t know it was open.”
“All right. I suppose these are your things. I’m much obliged to you.”
“They’re my best,” he answered. “You’re welcome.”
Now he was some four inches shorter than I, whereas the clothes were quite long enough for me; and the discrepancy did not escape me, nor tend to lessen my suspicions.
He stood watching me silently as I finished the change and took out the contents of my pockets. But I was careful not to let him see that I had a weapon.
In the silence I could hear the rain streaming down.
“It’s a fearful night,” I said; “your wife said you weren’t at home.”
“Just come in.”
“You managed to keep dry.”