Almost instantly Mr. Werner appeared. The butler opened the door for him to enter and forgot to shut it again.
"I want to see Mortomley," began Mr. Forde, without preface of any kind; "if he is well enough to travel, he is well enough to face his creditors."
"I will send and tell him you are here," answered Mr. Werner.
"No, I will go to him without any first message being delivered," said the other with an angry sneer.
"Pardon me," interposed Mr. Werner, "but you will do no such thing. It is not with any good-will of mine that Mr. Mortomley is my guest, but since he is my guest he shall not be treated by you or anybody else like a criminal. If he choose to see you he can do so, if he do not choose you shall not see him."
"Do you dare say that to me?" asked Mr. Forde.
"Yes," was the reply, "and if you speak in that tone to me, I shall say a good deal more which you may not like to hear."
"Now—now—now—Werner," interposed Kleinwort, "you are always so much in too great haste. He meant it not. He would not order about in your house for ten thousand worlds."
"He had better not," Mr. Werner said, cutting short the thread of Mr. Kleinwort's eloquence, for he was indignant at being taken from his guests, and furious at the fact of Mortomley having taken shelter under his roof, and being instantly hunted there by Mr. Forde. "Williams," he continued going to the door, and addressing his butler, who was bustling about the hall,
"Let Mr. Mortomley know Mr. Forde is here, and desires a few minutes' conversation with him. Now, gentlemen, I must bid you good-night. Williams will bring you wine or brandy if you only tell him which you prefer."