"Oh, quite. It was only a suggestion. I want to keep up the spirit of the thing. If I have to be Shanghaied I'd like it to be done properly." "You wass very high spirited, Mr. Barraclough." "Why not? Comfortable car--pleasant company." "Yees. With us this was a very serious business." "That's all to the good, but let's keep in humour. By the way, since everything's open and above board, where are you taking me?" "Laurence's house." "Wanted to know 'cos of getting my letters forwarded." "There won't be a whole lot of communication with the outer world," said Hipps. "I see. And how long are you proposing to keep me there?" "My dear old fellow," Laurence spoke over his shoulder, "that depends entirely on yourself." There was deeper significance in the tone than in the words. "That's cordial," said Richard, "downright hostly." "But paste this in your hat," said Hipps ominously. "Conditions won't improve by outstaying your welcome. It'll be sweet if you make it short--if not----" He did not complete the sentence. "A declining stock," Richard smiled then shook his head reproachfully. "You know, gentlemen, yours is an extremely heterodox way of doing business. You must be feeling pretty hopeless to have resorted to measures of this kind." "I guess the market'll improve," said Hipps and relapsed into silence. It seemed ages before the car slowed down and entered the gates of a solid mid-Victorian house, isolated from similar houses by two or three acres of treeful grounds. The front door was opened by two men-servants of none too prepossessing appearance, who came down the steps as the car pulled up. It was significant of precaution that they tacitly formed up one on each side of Richard and escorted him within. "The only thing lacking," he remarked, "is a red carpet and an awning." But his disposition toward gaiety was unshared by his companions. The two servants conducted him mutely into the dining room where a meal was awaiting them. Van Diest beckoned him to a place at the table and, tucking a napkin under his left ear, seated himself and began to attack the victuals without comment. Ezra P. Hipps turned the key in the lock and dropped it in his pocket before occupying the chair facing Richard. As the ostensible host Laurence sat at the head of the table and instructed the servants to open the wine. The change of courses was effected by means of a small service lift inset in one of the walls.