"He did."
"Alone?"
"Alone."
"He and this namesake of mine were companions, I take it."
"Something more than companions, to all appearances. Close friends rather."
"Did they appear to be on good terms with each other?"
"On the best of terms."
"I hope," said Basil, "you will excuse me for questioning you so closely, but this is a matter that very deeply affects me."
"My dear fellow," said Mr. Majoribanks, "you are heartily welcome to every scrap of information I can give that will throw light upon this most mysterious piece of business. It is altogether the strangest thing I ever heard. I'll not ask you who the other fellow is, but I have a faint idea that he must be the most unmitigated scoundrel on the face of the earth. Tell me as much or as little as you please, and in the meantime fire away."
"My namesake was dining at the Grand Hotel when you first saw him. Was M. Bidaud in his company?"