A spectre could not have startled and horrified us more!
At first he did not seem to be aware of our presence, and it was not till Jack advanced a step, and involuntarily exclaimed “Hawkesbury!” that he looked up in a flurried way.
“Why, Smith!” he exclaimed, “and Batchelor! What a start you gave me! What are you doing here at this hour, and in this room?”
“We’ve been here a quarter of an hour,” said Jack, solemnly.
“Have you? How quiet you’ve been!”
This, at any rate, was a relief. He could hardly have heard our conversation.
“But what are you doing in here?” he added, in an important voice. “You must know this room is private, and not for the clerks.”
“We heard a noise,” said I, “and did not know who was here.”
Hawkesbury smiled incredulously.
“All I can say is,” said he, “I hope you are not in the habit of coming in here when you are by yourselves in the office. But kindly leave me now—I am busy.”