Therefore Lamont had the whole house to himself, for it was the servants’ night off, and he had resolved to take his ease.
Suddenly the clear tones of the bell reverberated through the mansion, but the millionaire did not rise. He did not want any visitors, and he was not at all in the humor to be disturbed.
Again the bell rang, a little sharper than before, and he laid down the cigar.
“Confound it all, why can’t a fellow get a little rest?” he growled, crossing the room toward the hall.
“It’s a pity some people haven’t the slightest notion about propriety, but must come when a man wants to throw off the cares of the world and enjoy himself.”
For the third time the bell jangled, and the next moment Lamont reached the door. He opened it with a growl on his lips, but all at once a man rudely pushed past him into the hall.
“Good evening,” said the stranger, who was tall and decidedly good looking from what the millionaire could see of his face, for he kept his collar up. “Don’t think I’m an intruder. Of course, I came here on business, and that overleaps every other consideration, you know.”
“Business? This way, then.”
Lamont led the way to the library, where he waved his caller to a chair.
“You have a son, I believe?” said the visitor.