There was a tap at the door and a page-boy came into the sitting-room with a card.
"Show the gentleman up," said Kitson; "it is our friend," he explained.
"And he may know a great deal," said Beale.
Mr. White stalked into the room dangling his glasses with the one hand and holding his shiny silk hat with the other. He invariably carried his hat as though it were a rifle he were shouldering.
He bowed ceremoniously and closed the door behind him.
"Mr.—ah—Kitson?" he said, and advanced a big hand. "I received your note and am, as you will observe, punctual. I may say that my favourite motto is 'Punctuality is the politeness of princes."
"You know Mr. Beale?"
Mr. White bowed stiffly.
"I have—ah—met Mr. Beale."