I pointed to the glass of champagne.
"I don't mind if I do," he said. "'Ere's health!" He swallowed the wine at a gulp, and wiped his mouth on his sleeve. "'Ave a drop yourself, guvnor," he added. "A glass of bubbly will cheer you up."
"Well, Mr. Docker," I said, "I hope I see you fit." I was getting wonderfully collected now that the suspense was over.
"Pretty fair, sir. Pretty fair. Able to do my day's work like an honest man."
"And what brings you here?"
"A little job I'm on. Some friends of mine wants you out of the road for a bit, and they've sent me to fetch you. It's a bit of luck for you that you've struck a pal. We needn't 'ave no unpleasantness, seein' we're both what you might call men of the world."
"I appreciate the compliment," I said. "But where do you propose to take me?"
"Dunno. It's some lay near the Docks. I've got a motor-car waitin' at the back of the 'ouse."
"But supposing I don't want to go?"
"My orders hadmit no hexcuse," he said solemnly. "You're a sensible chap, and can see that in a scrap I could down you easy."