"Well, I have taken it a little for granted that you have some reason for wishing to pay me a visit at this particular moment."
"Exactly. I have. It's because I find myself in rather a singular situation."
"As how?"
The lawyer considered. He looked at his host across the little table, on which were their cups of coffee, with his bright eyes and the intensely inquisitive stare, which seemed to suggest that curiosity was his devouring passion. His host looked back at him lazily, indifferently, as if he were interested in nothing and in no one. The two men were in acute contrast. The one so tall and broad; the other so small and wiry--in the scales possibly not half Hugh Morice's size. The solicitor glanced round the room, inquiringly.
"I suppose we're private here?"
They were in the billiard-room. The doors were shut, windows closed, blinds drawn--the question seemed superfluous.
"Perfectly. No one would hear you if you shouted."
"It's just as well to be sure; because what I have to say to you is of a particularly private nature."
"At your leisure."
"You and I have had dealings before--you will probably remember that, under certain circumstances, I'm not a stickler for professional etiquette."