He had his hands behind his back, and rested them on the edge of the table against which he was leaning. He was undoubtedly ill at ease; but so far I had not made the impression on him, either mentally or morally, which I desired.
‘Who is your Oriental friend?’
‘I do not follow you.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘I am certain. Repeat your question.’
‘Who is your Oriental friend?’
‘I was not aware that I had one.’
‘Do you swear that?’
He laughed, a strange laugh.
‘Do you seek to catch me tripping? You conduct your case with too much animus. You must allow me to grasp the exact purport of your inquiry before I can undertake to reply to it on oath.’