He was a thin man, very neatly and quietly dressed, with a solemn face and an air of importance. Nevis was stouter and more florid, with a brisker manner, but the stamp of the city was plainly set on both.
"Well," said Singleton, "I'm at your service, now you're here. The cigars are nearest you, Mr. Nevis, and I can recommend the contents of the smaller bottle. It's a Southern speciality and rather difficult to get in England."
Nevis hesitated. He thought it better that the interview should be conducted on strictly business lines, while to accept the proffered hospitality would tend to place him and the man he wished to deal with on a footing of social equality. But it was desirable not to offend Singleton, and he lighted a cigar.
"To begin with, I must ask if you are still in any way connected with
Mr. Lansing?" he said.
"No," answered Singleton with some grimness. "You can take it for granted that he has done with me."
"That clears the ground. We have been considering the report you wrote for him. In our opinion, it was, while not encouraging, hardly sufficient to warrant his abandoning the project, in which, as you have been told, we were associated with him."
"He may have had other motives," Singleton suggested.
Nevis nodded gravely, as if in appreciation of his keenness.
"That," he said, "is what occurred to us. But what is your idea of the scheme?"
"It's clearly stated in the report."