“Business.”

“What, your own sort of business?”

Lal nodded.

“Whereabouts?”

“Oh, in the town.”

“Tell me where, old fellow—that is, if you don’t mind me meddling.”

“At the Sailors’ Arms; you know the place.”

“It’s a hell of a hole,” said Meryon, soberly. “Did you go in?”

“For a few minutes.”

“I say, it’s on the way from the Corn Exchange to the station. I say, do you think she could have seen you?”