After a silence of several minutes’ duration, Gorse asked:

“Did you come here of your own accord?”

“No.”

“Ah! Who sent you?”

“That question I cannot answer until I know something of you?”

“In other words, I must answer your questions before you will answer mine?”

“That is it exactly.”

“You can at least tell me the circumstances under which you came here?”

“Yes, I suppose so.”

“What are they?”