"Mr. Patterson, from Messrs. Craven and Son," he read slowly out loud,
and then added:

"May I inquire what Mr. Patterson from Messrs. Craven and Son
wants with me?"

"I come from Miss Blake, sir," I remarked.

"It is here written that you come from Messrs. Craven and Son," he said.

"So I do, sir--upon Miss Blake's business. She is a client of ours, as
you may remember."

"I do remember. Go on."

He would not sit down himself or ask me to be seated, so we stood
throughout the interview. I with my hat in my hand, he twirling his
moustache or scrutinising his nails while he talked.

"Miss Blake has received a letter from you, sir, and has requested me to
ask you for an explanation of it."

"I have no further explanation to give," he replied.

"But as you took the house for two years, we cannot advise Miss Blake to
allow you to relinquish possession in consideration of your having paid
her six months' rent."

"Very well. Then you can advise her to fight the matter, as I suppose
you will. I am prepared to fight it."