“What do you want?” he demanded, and opened the door a few more inches.
“I want to see you,” said Michael.
“Usually call at daybreak?” growled the man as he closed the door on his visitor.
Michael made no answer, but followed Gregory Penne to his room. The library had evidently been occupied throughout the night. The windows were shuttered, the electroliers were burning, and before the fire was a table and two whisky bottles, one of which was empty.
“Have a drink?” said Penne mechanically, and poured himself out a portion with an unsteady hand.
“Is your ape in?” asked Michael, refusing the preferred drink with a gesture.
“What, Bhag? I suppose so. He goes and comes as he likes. Do you want to see him?”
“Not particularly,” said Michael. “I’ve seen him once to-night.”
Penne was lighting the stub of a cigar from the fire as he spoke, and he looked round quickly.
“You’ve seen him before? What do you mean?”