"Have you any letters or papers--any written communication for me?" "None whatever," Julius ventured. "You knew you would meet me here?" the older man apparently wished to say as little as he might. "I fancied I should meet you, but not in this manner," said Julius, also enigmatical. The portly gentleman looked painfully nonplussed and ill at ease, as he sat in the light little yellow rocking-chair, which now and again treacherously tilted backward and caused him a momentary but agitated effort at equilibrium, and Julius vaguely remembered to have heard that rocking-chairs were not popular in England, and reflected that this worthy was not accustomed to have his centre of gravity so jeopardized. "I think I should have had ampler voucher. You will pardon me for saying this?" remarked the stranger, at length. "I will pardon you for saying anything you like," said Julius, politely. "The Company informed me that a young man familiar with the country--a native, in fact--would meet me here and that I should be afforded means to identify him. I fancied he would have letters. But when I saw the register I supposed this the mark of identification. Am I right?" "My dear sir, you must not expect me to guarantee your impressions," said Julius. He was glad he was in bed. He felt that he could not have stood up. "I should say, judging from the effect your valuable mental qualities make upon me, that any impression you see fit to entertain would be amply justified by the fact." He did not know how to appraise the distinction of his own manner and special attractiveness, and he was both amazed and amused to note how Mr. John Wray of Manchester, England, expanded under the compliment. "I see, I see--I suppose this is even better than a letter, which might have been stolen, or transferred, or--however, or--shall we proceed to our commercial affairs?" "I don't usually transact commercial affairs in my night-shirt," said Julius, "but if I look sufficiently businesslike to suit you--just fire away; it's all the same to me." He was growing reckless. The risk involved in this war of words with the supposed detective was overwhelming his reserves. He did not know certainly of what the man suspected him, how fully informed he might have become. He knew it was imprudent to suggest his withdrawal, for the effort at escape might precipitate immediate arrest. Yet he could no longer spar back and forth. "However," he said, as if with a second thought, "I _should_ like a dabble of a bath, first, and to get on my duds, and to have a whack at breakfast, or dinner,--whichever is on parade by this time." "Certainly--certainly--by all means. I will meet you in the hotel office, and shall we dine together at two?" He held out the dial of his watch. "At two," assented Julius.