There are plenty of them about, too,
Andrew--as many in this place as any other. I am not going to be
content with a negative position as regards evildoers. I am
going to set my heel on as many of the human vermin of this city
as I can find."
"A laudable, a most exhilarating and delightful pursuit! `human
vermin,' too, is excellent. It opens up a new and fascinating
vista for the modern sportsman. My congratulations!"
It was an interruption of peculiar and wonderful significance,
but Francis did not for the moment appreciate the fact. Turning
his head, he simply saw a complete stranger seated unaccountably
at the next table, who had butted into a private conversation and
whose tone of gentle sarcasm, therefore, was the more offensive.
"Who the devil are you, sir," he demanded, "and where did you
come from?"
The newcomer showed no resentment at Francis' little outburst.
He simply smiled with deprecating amiability--a tall, spare man,
with lean, hard face, complexion almost unnaturally white; black
hair, plentifully besprinkled with grey; a thin, cynical mouth,
notwithstanding its distinctly humourous curve, and keen, almost
brilliant dark eyes. He was dressed in ordinary dinner garb; his
linen and jewellery was indeed in the best possible taste.
Francis, at his second glance, was troubled with a vague sense of
familiarity.
Pages:
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63