"You look a poor starved rat of a man, even now."
"I'm sorry," I said, "that I haven't your terrific constitution."
"It hasn't been much good to me so far," he said, "and I'll thank you, Mr. Mildmay, for one of those excellent cigars of yours."
"I think I could manage one myself," said I, sitting up.
"Bravo! Now we can talk seriously.... I've been thinking, Phil."
"I could see that!"
"You could, could you? Well, I've hit on a plan—a beautiful plan."
"Capital!" I said.
"But the carrying through depends upon you."
"Am I in fit condition?" I asked.