Did you travel by the two o'clock train yesterday ?" "Yes.

I avoided you purposely." "May I ask, why ?" "My mind was weary.

I wanted my wits about me when I tackled you." Ingerman smiled, and leaned back, resting both elbows on the arms of the chair, and bringing the tips of his fingers together.
"Proceed," he said.
"You prefer that I should drag out a statement piecemeal rather than receive it _en bloc_ ?" "Put it that way, if you like." "I shall even enjoy it.

To clear the ground, are you the Isidor G.
Ingerman who exploited the A1 Mine in Abyssinia ?" Ingerman's finger-tips whitened under a sudden pressure, but his voice remained calm.
"An unfortunate episode," he said.
"And the Aegean Transport Company, Limited ?" "Into which I was inveigled by Greeks.

But why this history of ruined enterprises ?" "It's a sort of schooling.