The man who sat in the corner was white-haired and stoop-shouldered. He was very slow and cautious in his actions.
The others had finished their meal before him and he had ignored his dessert. Now, his companions were waiting for him to speak.
With slightly trembling fingers, the elderly man drew a pair of spectacles from their case and carefully adjusted them upon his nose. He cleared his throat and began to speak in a quavering voice.
“I have a very important matter to discuss with you,” he said. “It is important because I do not know just what it signifies. That is why I felt it necessary to ascertain that you were actually Robert Galvin.”
He looked at a younger man beside him as he spoke. The latter pointed across the table to the third member of the party.
“Mr. Mallory can answer for me,” he said.
Hiram Mallory bowed in quiet dignity and smiled in a kindly manner.
“This is Robert Galvin,” he said. “I called to see him the first day that he arrived. I have seen him several times since then. He is living at his uncle’s home. I can vouch for him, Thaddeus—”
“Ah, yes,” returned Thaddeus Westcott. “I called there this afternoon and received a call in return. Nevertheless, I felt that I must be absolutely sure of myself.
“I am sorry, Mr. Galvin, that I was not in town when you arrived. Had I been here, I would have been one of the first to welcome you.