“I’ll tell him, sir; but on’y, sir, he said his business was of immense importance to yourself, and that he were a-going south by first train to-morrow morning.”
“Heigho!” sighed Steve, moving towards the door. “What a bore! You’ll excuse me half a moment, gentlemen?”
The stranger had been shown into the low-ceilinged but snug old-fashioned parlour, and rose and bowed as Steve entered.
“I presume,” he said, “I have the honour of addressing Mr Steve?”
“You have,” said Mr Steve; “and pray be brief, for my guests wait.”
“My business is of a private nature,” replied the stranger, with a glance at the servant.
At a nod from his master the latter retired.
The stranger took the liberty of shutting the door, then confronted Mr Steve.
He was a youngish man, of bold and gentlemanly appearance, and unmistakably Scotch, though with slightly foreign action while conversing.
