“Merely puzzled,” said the man in black.
“Puzzled?”
“Yes.”
“Really puzzled?”
“Yes.”
“Remain so.”
“Well,” said the man in black, rising, “puzzled or not, I will no longer trespass upon your and this young lady’s retirement; only allow me, before I go, to apologise for my intrusion.”
“No apology is necessary,” said I; “will you please to take anything before you go? I think this young lady, at my request, will contrive to make you a cup of tea.”
“Tea!” said the man in black—“he! he! I don’t drink tea; I don’t like it,—if, indeed, you had—” and here he stopped.
“There’s nothing like gin and water, is there?” said I, “but I am sorry to say I have none.”