With the removal of the last course, fruit was placed upon the table, with a decanter of _Chateau Yquem_.

On a small table near was a brass pot of coffee and a flask of green liqueur.

Sabatini pushed the cigarettes towards his companion.
"I have a fancy to talk to you seriously," he said, without any preamble.
Arnold looked at him in some surprise.
"I am not a philanthropist," continued Sabatini.

"When I move out of my regular course of life it is usually for my own advantage.

I warn you of that before we start." Arnold nodded and lit his cigarette fearlessly.