He came over and took it from my hand. His hand was large and hairy. It was much steadier than mine.
'Your health,' he said with a smile and raised the glass.
I did not feel in the mood for such a gesture.
'Why did you wait up for me?' I asked. 'And where's the Austrian fellow?'
The Austrian fellow?' He peered at me through his glasses. 'You did not see him, eh?' He nodded as though satisfied about something. 'He's gone,' he said. 'He does not know you were there. I waited up for you because there are some questions I would like to ask you.'
'And there are a few I'd like to ask you,' I said.
'I've no doubt,' he replied curtly. 'But you would be a fool to expect me to answer them.' He considered me for a moment as he poured himself another drink. 'You speak German, eh?' he asked. «'Yes,' I said.
'You were listening to our conversation. It is not good, Mr Blair, to meddle in matters that are of no concern to you.' His voice was quiet, his tone reasonable. It was difficult to realise that there was an implied threat.
'Murder is a matter that concerns everybody,' I responded sharply.
The slittovia, eh? So you heard that. What else did you hear?' There was no mistaking the menace in his voice now, though the tone was still quiet.