"Would you state your business, please?" The clerk did not seem to be sure of him.
"I will state my business to your principals," replied Dick. "Please take in my name."
When the clerk returned his demeanour was changed. He was obsequious and anxious to serve.
"Will you come this way, please, sir?" he said. "Mr. Bilton is in Mr. Bidlake's room, and——"
He did not finish the sentence, for the door of an office opened and a man of about fifty years of age appeared.
"Come in, Mr. Faversham," he invited. "Do you know, I've been on tenterhooks for days about you."
"I landed at Tilbury only a few hours ago."
"Is that so? But it was this way: we, of course, heard that your boat had been mined, and we also heard that a number of the passengers and crew were rescued; but news about you was contradictory. In one list of the saved your name appeared, while in another you were not mentioned. Tell us all about it."
"Another time," replied Dick. He was in a fever to know why this very respectable firm of lawyers should have sent a wireless to him.
"Yes, yes, of course," assented Mr. Bidlake, leading the way to an inner room. "Bilton, you may as well come too. My word, Mr. Faversham, I am glad to see you."