“It would be proper that your confidential lawyer should be present; for it may be well to cross-question some of the witnesses.”
“Thank you for the suggestion, Colonel Vance. I shall avail myself of it.”
“As there will be ladies in the party, I hope your wife and daughter will be present.”
“I will give them your message.”
“Tell them we have a young officer with us who was shot through the lungs in battle not long since. Shall we make the hour half-past eight;—place, the Astor House?”
“That would suit me precisely, Colonel Vance.”
“Then I will bid you good day, sir, for the present.”
Charlton put out his hand, but Vance bowed without seeming to notice it, and passed out of the house into the carriage.
“Mr. Pompilard,” said he, as the carriage moved on, “are you willing to take me on trust, say for the next hour, as a gentleman, and comply with my reasonable requests without compelling me to explain myself further? Call me, if you please, Mr. Vance.”
“Truly, Mr. Vance,” replied Pompilard, “I do not see how I risk much in acceding to your proposition. If you were an impostor, you would hardly think of fleecing me, for I am shorn close already. Besides, you carry the right signet on your front. Yes, I will trust you, Mr. Vance.”