'I have your letter.'
'I presume, Mr Guy, that you had my letter nearly three months ago.'
'I had it this morning. I only came back from Africa last night.'
'From Africa? I was not aware you had gone so far.'
'Dear Guy is such a gadabout.'
The interpolation came from the young gentleman in the arm-chair. The solicitor went on.
'The only address I had was the one in Craven Street. As my letter did not come back I supposed it had reached you safely; but that, for reasons of your own, you chose to take no notice of it. You know, Mr Guy, that in such matters you are a little erratic.'
'I know. You needn't remind me. So my uncle is dead. Of what did he die?'
'The immediate cause was apoplexy, brought on, it is to be feared, by something which happened on the afternoon of his decease.'
The young gentleman in the arm-chair struck in.