If they spoke at all, they spoke as strangers speak.

But while Wogan was smoking his first pipe a fifth man entered, and he just gave one quick glance at Wogan.

Wogan behind a cloud of tobacco-smoke saw the movement of the head and detected the look.

It might signify nothing but curiosity, of course, but Wogan felt glad that the stairs were narrow.

He finished his pipe and was knocking out the ashes when it occurred to him that he had seen that fifth man before; and Wogan looked at him more carefully, and though the fellow was disguised by the growth of a beard he recognised him.