Silently but swiftly, the man brought lacquered stools without back supports, placed one behind each of the four, then lifted the hangings and disappeared.
“Sit down,” said “Black George” in a suave voice, “and let us talk things over.”
They complied.
“I hope,” said “Black George,” “that my men did not handle you roughly. They had instructions not to, and if they disobeyed they shall be punished.”
“Come, come,” said Mr. Temple, “drop this note of hospitality and come to the point. We are prisoners, we have been foully entrapped. What is your object?”
Dropping something of his suavity and letting more of his true character show, “Black George” leaned forward.
“I think you know, Mr. Temple,” He said, “my reason for bringing you here.”
“What do you mean?”
Mr. Temple was determined to maintain an attitude of outraged innocence.
“I mean,” said the other, his voice growing more harsh, “that you have been meddling in matters that did not concern you.”