I shall be close behind you, but do your own talking." John followed the directions given and soon found himself in a room handsomely but scantily furnished.

There were some large easy chairs, a wide comfortable sofa, and tables covered with green baize.

A fire blazed fitfully in a bright steel grate, but there were no pictures, no ornaments of any kind, no books or musical instruments.

The gas burned dimly and the fire was dull and smoky, for there was a heavy fog outside which no light could fully penetrate.

The company were nearly all middle-aged and respectable-looking.