'The Marquis of Twickenham?' Leaning back, he stroked his chin with a gesture which so vividly recalled a favourite trick of Leonard's that I could have struck him for thinking that I could be fooled so easily. 'Might.'
'Are you aware that in appearance you resemble him?'
'Good-looking chap.'
'He was a poor devil last night.'
'Extremes meet.'
'I am actuated in what I am going to say by your own eccentric behaviour. I need not tell you that I should not say anything of the kind were you to act like a reasonable being. But since, beyond the shadow of a doubt, you are partly mad, I am going to take it for granted that you are wholly mad. I make this preliminary observation because I want us to understand each other.'
'You take some understanding.'
'So do you. Are we private here?'
'You might look under the couch. I don't know that there's a cupboard.'
'I won't ask if I can trust you, because I know I can't.'