He thought it better that the interview should be conducted on strictly business lines, while to accept the proffered hospitality would tend to place him and the man he wished to deal with on a footing of social equality.

But it was desirable not to offend Singleton, and he lighted a cigar.
"To begin with, I must ask if you are still in any way connected with Mr.Lansing ?" he said.
"No," answered Singleton with some grimness.

"You can take it for granted that he has done with me." "That clears the ground.

We have been considering the report you wrote for him.

In our opinion, it was, while not encouraging, hardly sufficient to warrant his abandoning the project, in which, as you have been told, we were associated with him." "He may have had other motives," Singleton suggested.
Nevis nodded gravely, as if in appreciation of his keenness.
"That," he said, "is what occurred to us.