'You have nothing to complain of in that respect,' he said, glancing from me to Turk and from Turk to me, and appearing to be seeking for some solution of the circumstance that we were in company together. When he was in any doubt, he had an irritating habit of repeating the last words spoken by the person he was conversing with, which gave him time to think of his own words in reply. 'That must be very satisfactory. I hear good accounts of you. You will get on, I should say, if you are steady and straightforward, and if you keep a good name. That is everything in this world. A good name--a good name. But what brings _you_ out to-night? Have _you_ business in this quarter too?' 'No,' I said; 'I did not come out for business.' 'You did not come out for business. For pleasure, then. Well, young men will be young men.' 'To tell you the truth, sir,' I said---- 'That's right, always tell the truth,' he interrupted, speaking from a height, slowly, and coolly, and patronisingly, as though he were truth's conservator, and was glad to hear that it was being practised. 'Yes, to tell me the truth----' 'I came out partly for the purpose and in the hope of seeing you.' With his hand playing with his moustache, he looked not at me, but at Turk, for an explanation. Turk, however, had nothing to say. 'You came out for the purpose and in the hope of seeing me. Yes. Have you brought me any message?' 'Did you expect one, sir?' I asked quickly. 'Did I expect one? No, I cannot really say that I did; but I should not have been surprised. Go on,' he said, with gentle encouragement. There were some persons passing us occasionally, and I moved to a more retired spot. I saw that he was curious, and I saw that his curiosity increased at this movement. 'You seem agitated,' he said. 'Turk, our young friend here seems agitated. Take your time--take your time. If you are going to beg a favour, I shall be glad to assist you in any way in my power--in any way in my power.' 'I have not come to beg any favour of you, sir. I only came to ask----' But I hesitated here; the justice of Turk's reproach came upon me with great force, and I was conscious that the words I was about to utter might be construed into an ungenerous suspicion of Jessie. If they reached her ears from the lips of one who was not well disposed towards me, I should sink for ever in her esteem. 'Take time--take time,' said Mr. Glover, outwardly quite at his ease. Turk came to my rescue here. He divined my thoughts, and the cause of my hesitation. 'Perhaps, Mr. Glover,' said Turk, 'if you would not mind regarding what passes as confidential, and not to be mentioned to any one else, Christopher would be more at his ease.' I gave Turk a grateful look. 'Christopher would be more at his ease,' repeated Mr. Glover. 'This really is very mysterious. I don't see any objection. Then you know what he is going to say?'