"Does this business concern Miss Saxon?"
"Indirectly it does. But it rather has to do with her brother."
Mallow frowned. The conversation was taking a turn of which he did not approve. However, he knew well the dangerous ground upon which he stood with regard to the case, and thought it best to hear what his unexpected visitor had to say. "State your business," he said curtly.
"Very good," replied Hale, nursing his silk hat on his knee. "I see you don't offer me coffee or a cigarette."
"We are not friends, sir. And let me remind you that you thrust yourself uninvited on me."
"To do you a service," said Hale quickly. "I think, therefore, that I deserve a better reception."
"Will you please come to the point?" said Mallow coldly, "whatever the service may be, I am quite sure it is two for you if one for me. You are not the man to go out of your way, Mr. Hale, to help anyone."
Hale nodded and smiled grimly. "You are quite right. Now, then, Mr. Mallow, do you know that Basil Saxon was to have inherited the money of my late client, Miss Loach?"
"No, I never knew that. I understood that Miss Loach always intended to leave the money to Miss Saxon."
Hale shook his well-oiled head. "On the contrary, Mr. Saxon was her favorite. In spite of his wild ways she liked him. However, she was also fond of Miss Saxon, and you may thank Miss Loach, Mr. Mallow, for having been the means of forwarding your engagement."