‘Yes, yes!’ retorted Gaston, impatiently; ‘but who are they?’
‘The long one is Fell, the railway contractor,’ said Barty, glancing with some surprise at Vandeloup, ‘and the other is old Meddlechip, the millionaire.’
‘Meddlechip,’ echoed Vandeloup, as if to himself; ‘my faith!’
‘Yes,’ broke in Bellthorp, quickly; ‘the one we were speaking of at the club—do you know him?’
‘I fancy I do,’ said Vandeloup, with a strange smile. ‘You must excuse me to your supper to-night.’
‘No, we won’t,’ said Barty, firmly; ‘you must come.’
‘Then I’ll look in later,’ said Vandeloup, who had not the slightest intention of going. ‘Will that do?’
‘I suppose it will have to,’ said Bellthorp, in an injured tone; ‘but why can’t you come now?’
‘I’ve got to see about some business,’ said Vandeloup.
‘What, at this hour of the night?’ cried Jarper, in a voice of disgust.