"And for coming by yourself--that was just what I wanted." "Aye, and why ?" asked Allerdyke.

"Why by myself?
I've been wondering about that all the way down." Chettle, a sleek, comfortable-looking man, with a quiet manner and a sly glance, laughed knowingly, twiddling his fat thumbs as he leaned back in the cab.

"Oh, well, it doesn't do--in my opinion--to spread information amongst too many people, Mr.Allerdyke," he said.

"That's my notion of things, anyway.

I just wanted to go into a few matters with you, alone, d'ye see?
I didn't want that American gentleman along with you.