"Came in the same train with Mr. Lawrence?"
"I rather fancy I did."
"He was in the next compartment to yours, wasn't he?"
Mr. Ireland's manner was almost ostentatiously careless, and he seemed to be entirely occupied in the contents of his glass, but for some reason Mr. Paxton was beginning to feel more and more uncomfortable.
"Was he? I wasn't aware of it. I noticed him on the platform when the train got in."
"With his friend?"
"Yes--the other man was with him."
"Went into the refreshment-room with them, didn't you, and had a drink?"
Mr. Paxton turned and looked at the speaker; Mr. Ireland seemed, as it were, to studiously refrain from looking at him.
"Upon my word, Ireland, you seem to have kept a keen eye upon my movements."