The Brass Bowl by Louis Joseph Vance
page 90 of 268 (33%)
page 90 of 268 (33%)
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look, he was near-sighted; by his dress, a gentleman of taste and judgment
as well as of means to gratify both. A certain jaunty and summery touch in his attire suggested a person of leisure who had just run down from his country place, for a day in town. His voice, when he spoke, did nothing to dispel the illusion. "Mr. Maitland?" he opened the conversation briskly. "I trust I do not intrude? I shall be brief as possible, if you will favor me with a private interview." Maitland remarked a voice well modulated and a good choice of words. He rose courteously. "I should be pleased to do so," he suggested, "if you could advance any reasons for such a request." Mr. Snaith smiled discreetly, fumbling in his side pocket. A second slip of cardboard appeared between his fingers as he stepped over toward Maitland. "If I had not feared it might deprive me of this interview, I should have sent in my business card at once," he said. "Permit me." Maitland accepted the card and elevated his brows. "Oh!" he said, putting it down, his manner becoming perceptibly less cordial. "I say, O'Hagan." "Yessor?" "I shall be busy for--Will half an hour satisfy you, Mr. Snaith?" |
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