It was clearly the moment to be noncommittal.
"If you've come to get it," said Richard, "you'll be unlucky."
"Just thought I'd like to take a look at you, that's all."
He rose to his feet, for he had been occupying the second chair and scanned Richard's face closely. A shadow of perplexity showed in the wrinkles of his forehead.
"Sorry I'm not looking my best," said Richard, with an uneasy feeling of having been detected.
"Hm!" said the young man called Smith, "I'm not very often wrong about things like that but I can't remember those humorous lines at the corners of your eyes."
"Ah!" said Richard, "but I hadn't seen the humour of the situation when last we met."
"Bad light, I suppose," the young man nodded. "Still, it's rather surprising. Thanks, Mr. Laurence, I think that'll do. Goodnight, sir."
"Oh, goodnight. Drop in whenever you feel like it."
"I may." He moved toward the door then turned suddenly. "By the way,
I've a message for you."