For it had not occurred
to Hassan to extinguish the taper. The Egyptian mind is complex
in its simplicity.
M. Agapoulos from a gold case extracted a cigarette, and lighting
it, inhaled the smoke contentedly, looking about him. The
window-dresser was lost again in the bank manager who has
arranged a profitable overdraft. Somewhere a bell rang. Hassan,
treading silently, reappeared, crossed the room, and opening a
finely carved door walked along a corridor which it had
concealed. He still carried the lighted taper.
Presently there entered a man whose well-cut serge suit revealed
the figure of a soldier. He wore a soft gray felt hat and
carried light gloves and a cane. His dark face, bronzed by
recent exposure to the Egyptian sun, was handsome in a saturnine
fashion, and a touch of gray at the temples tended to enhance his
good looks. He carried himself in that kind of nonchalant manner
which is not only insular but almost insolent.
M. Agapoulos bowed extravagantly. As he laid his plump hand upon
his breast the diamond ring sparkled in a way most opulent and
impressive.
"I greet you, Major Grantham," he said. "Behold"--he waved his
hand glitteringly--"all is prepared."
"Oh, yes," murmured the other, glancing around without interest;
"good.
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