The arrival of Mrs. Ramsay with the tea made a temporary diversion, and, having requested Colin to officiate, the Professor seated himself on the couch alongside his visitor.
"What I chiefly wanted to see you about," he began, "was that new agreement with the American Dye Company. I had a letter from them yesterday, and, with their usual transatlantic hustle, they are anxious to get the matter settled up at once."
"Well, there's no reason why it shouldn't be," returned the other. "I went through the papers last night, and they all seem to be in order. If I had known you were in a hurry I would have brought them along." He paused. "Perhaps Doctor Gray would be good enough to stroll back with me as far as my house after tea. In that case I can hand them over to him. I would fetch them myself, but, unfortunately, I have an engagement."
"I can manage that all right," said Colin. "I sha'n't be wanted at the hospital until seven."
He finished pouring out the tea, and, having distributed the cups, took the vacant seat on the farther side of the fireplace.
Somehow or other the personality of the big, suave solicitor had already inspired him with a vague distrust. He always disliked men with soft hands and that particular type of voice, especially when, as in the present case, their eyes were unpleasantly close together.
He had, too, an instinctive feeling that, in spite of his apparent friendliness, Mr. Medwin was by no means disposed to regard him as a desirable addition to the Red Lodge. Whether it was a mere whim of the latter's, or whether he resented the prospect of anybody else being mixed up with the Professor's business affairs, it was impossible to guess. The only thing Colin felt sure about was that the announcement of his engagement had come to the other as a distinctly unwelcome surprise.
After chatting away amiably for about twenty minutes, Mr. Medwin at length rose to his feet and announced that it was time for him to be taking his departure.
"I live quite close by, in Albert Terrace," he added, turning to Colin, "so if you are in no special hurry it's hardly worth while bothering about a taxi. You can walk there and back in a quarter of an hour."
"And I shall be extremely obliged to you for your trouble, Gray," interposed the Professor. "It will be a great convenience to me to have the papers to-night. I am really beginning to wonder how I have managed to get along all this time without you."