The major placed his upon the mantelpiece beside him without tasting it.

Both were endeavouring to be at their best and clearest in the coming interview, and each set about it in his own manner.
"I'll tell you why I wanted to have a chat with you, major," Ezra said, having first opened the door suddenly and glanced out as a precaution against eavesdroppers.

"I have to be cautious, because what I have to say affects the interest of the firm.

I wouldn't for the world have any one know about it except yourself." "What is it, me boy ?" the major asked, with languid curiosity, puffing at his weed and staring up at the smoke-blackened ceiling.
"You understand that in commercial speculations the least breath of information beforehand may mean a loss of thousands on thousands." The major nodded his head as a sign that he appreciated this fact.
"We have a difficult enterprise on which we are about to embark," Ezra said, leaning forward and sinking his voice almost to a whisper.
"It is one which will need great skill and tact, though it may be made to pay well if properly managed.

You follow me ?" His companion nodded once more.
"For this enterprise we require an agent to perform one of the principal parts.