"You can show him in," Arnold directed.
Sabatini was already upon the threshold. He carried his gray Homburg hat in his hand; he seemed to bring with him a subtle atmosphere of refinement. The perfection of his clothes, the faint perfume from his handkerchief, his unusual yet unnoticeable tie—these things were a cult to himself. The little array of clerks, through whose ranks he had passed, stared after him in wonder.
"How are you, my young friend?" he asked, smiling at Arnold. "Immersed in business, I suppose?"
"We are very busy, naturally," Arnold answered. "Please come in and sit down."
Sabatini laid his hat and stick upon the table and commenced leisurely to draw off his gloves.
"This is Mr. Jarvis, who has been Mr. Weatherley's right-hand man for a great many years," Arnold said, introducing him; "Count Sabatini, Mr. Weatherley's brother-in-law."
Mr. Jarvis shook hands solemnly.
"I am glad to know you, sir," he declared. "I have not had the pleasure of seeing much of Mrs. Weatherley, but my connection with the firm is a very old one."
"Is there any news," asked Sabatini, "of our esteemed friend?"
Mr. Jarvis shook his head mournfully.