The old man made a gesture.
“I beg your pardon, Mr Hampton. I believe you said you were a solicitor,” he added quickly.
“Go on, sir; I am not offended. On the contrary I rather like your display of anger. It makes me feel that you may be honest instead of an extremely clever pretender.”
“Honest, sir! Good Heavens! Put yourself in my place. Now, between man and man what does this mean?”
“Simply what I have told you; but sit down, sir. This is a question for calm consideration, and you are walking up and down like—”
“A wild beast in a cage. Yes, I know it; but who can be calm at a time like this? Pray excuse me and go on.”
“I have very little to tell you, sir. Perhaps, as the solicitor of the party in possession, I ought to make no admissions. I can merely tell you that nearly four months ago Mr George Harrington came over from America with indubitable proofs of his identity, and, as soon as the proper legal forms could be gone though, took possession.”
“Nearly four months ago? Here, stop a moment, sir. Was he a man about my height?”
“Yes.”
“Rather darker?”