“Ah! the visitor!” repeated Max, with a grin of disbelief. “When do you expect the visit?”
“I have expected it during many months,” was the millionaire’s brief reply.
“And you can tell us nothing more? Is not your story a somewhat lame one?”
“Very—I quite admit it. But I can only assure you of its truth.”
“It is not often you speak the truth, Mr Statham, is it?” asked Max, pointedly.
“I suppose I am like many another man,” was his reply. “I only speak it when obliged!”
As he uttered those words there sounded in the hall the loud electric bell of the front door. It was rung twice, whereupon old Sam drew himself up in an instant in an attitude of alertness.
“The visitor!” he gasped, raising his bony finger. “The long-expected caller!”
The two rings were evidently a pre-arranged signal.
They heard old Levi shuffling outside. The door opened, and he stood expectant, looking at his master, but uttering no word.