"That's right," said Mr. Castlemaine; "meanwhile, here we are at the house. Will you enter, gentlemen?"
Signor Ricordo and Sprague entered the house side by side.
CHAPTER XXIV
RICORDO'S REMINISCENCES
Although the spring was well advanced, a bright fire burned in the room where Mr. John Castlemaine ushered his guests. Several easy chairs were placed around the fire. Evidently Mr. Castlemaine used this room as a kind of smoking lounge, although there were also evidences that it was not used for men exclusively.
They had scarcely seated themselves, when a servant entered, bearing cigars and a decanter containing spirits.
"You will take a little whisky, Signor Ricordo?" said Mr. Castlemaine, turning to his guest.
"No, thank you, I never take whisky."
"You are an abstainer?"