The man gave a shrug, but never relaxed his fixed gaze on my face.
“Under certain circumstances. You have not been to this spot till this moment, you say?”
“No.”
“You were not here just now; three, four minutes ago?”
“I am not used to have my word doubted, sir,” I returned, getting a little out of patience.
“Pardon.” He changed his tone again, reverting to its first bluffness. “You are English. I may ask your name?”
I told him, adding, “I presume you have a right to ask it?”
“Pardon,” he said again, but his manner was still offensive. “You have been here alone?”
“No. I have been smoking with three friends who hold official positions here. They have gone in.”
“Pardon, sir,”—he spoke in English now—“we are obliged to be circumspect here; you in England may not comprehend our necessity. Excuse me if I ask a few questions, in no spirit of idle curiosity, I assure you.”