"You probably know my address," he replied coldly. "You can call there and see me. At present I am engaged."
"Sir Julien, the matter is of some importance," Foster persisted. "I have a friend who is anxious to meet you. It would be an affair of a few words only, and perhaps an appointment afterwards."
"Is the friend to whom you refer the person with whom you were walking just now?" Julien inquired.
"Yes!" Foster admitted. "If you can spare me a moment I can explain—"
"You need explain nothing," Julien interrupted. "Understand, please, that I decline absolutely to make that person's acquaintance."
Foster looked away from Sir Julien to the woman who stood by his side.
"Am I to take this as final?" he asked.
Julien turned on his heel.
"Absolutely," he said. "The little I know of the person with whom you seem to be spending the evening makes me feel more inclined to pitch him into the river than to make his acquaintance. As a matter of fact, Foster, I don't know, of course, under what instructions you are acting over here, but I should not have considered him exactly a companion for you."
Foster started. A new fear had suddenly broken in upon him.