Paul Harley?" he shouted.
It was apparently an inquiry, but it sounded like a reprimand.
My friend, standing before the fireplace, his hands in his
pockets and his pipe in his mouth, nodded brusquely.
"I am Paul Harley," he said. "Won't you sit down?"
Major Ragstaff, glancing angrily at Innes as the latter left the
study, tossed his stick and gloves on to a settee, and drawing up
a chair seated himself stiffly upon it as though he were in a
saddle. He stared straight at Harley, and:
"You are not the sort of person I expected, sir," he declared.
"May I ask if it is your custom to keep clients dancin' on the
mat and all that--on the blasted mat, sir?"
Harley suppressed a smile, and I hastily reached for my
cigarette-case which I had placed upon the mantelshelf.
"I am always naturally pleased to see clients, Major Ragstaff,"
said Harley, "but a certain amount of routine is necessary even
in civilian life. You had not advised me of your visit, and it
is contrary to my custom to discuss business after five o'clock."
As Harley spoke the Major glared at him continuously, and then:
"I've seen you in India!" he roared; "damme! I've seen you in
India!--and, yes! in Turkey! Ha! I've got you now sir!" He
sprang to his feet.
Pages:
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222