The truth was I had acted on impulse.
And now that I was actually in the presence of a man who was obviously a very businesslike and matter-of-fact sort of person, I felt awkward and tongue-tied.

He was looking me over all the time as if there was a wonder in his mind about me, and when I was slow in answering he stirred a bit impatiently in his chair.
"My business hours are over for the day," he said.

"If it's business--" "It's not business in the ordinary sense, Mr.Smeaton," I made shift to get out.

"But it is business for all that.

The fact is--you'll remember that the Berwick police sent you a telegram some days ago asking did you know anything about a man named John Phillips ?" He showed a sudden interest at that, and he regarded me with a slight smile.
"You aren't a detective ?" he inquired.
"No--I'm a solicitor's clerk," I replied.