He had been sour enough and pompous enough in his manner and attitude to me that night of my call on his master, and it surprised me now to see how polite and suave and--in a fashion--insinuating he was in his behaviour to the two solicitors.

He was a big, fleshy, strongly-built fellow, with a rather flabby, deeply-lined face and a pallid complexion, rendered all the paler by his black overcoat and top hat; and as he stood there, rubbing his hands, glancing from Mr.Lindsey to Mr.Portlethorpe, and speaking in soft, oily, suggestive accents, I felt that I disliked him even more than when he had addressed me in such supercilious accents at the doors of Hathercleugh.
"Well--er--not precisely news, gentlemen," he replied.

"The fact is, I wanted to see you privately, Mr.Lindsey, sir--but, of course, I've no objections to speaking before Mr.Portlethorpe, as he's Sir Gilbert's solicitor.

Perhaps I can come in with you, Mr.Lindsey ?--the truth is, I've been waiting about, sir--they said you'd gone to Newcastle, and might be coming back by this last train.

And--it's--possibly--of importance." "Come in," said Mr.Lindsey.He let us all into his house with his latch-key, and led us to his study, where he closed the door.