During his period of waiting he drew another cigar from his pocket, and lit it from the stump of the old one.

Then he made himself a little more comfortable in his chair, and looked around at the walls of the handsomely furnished but rather sombre apartment with an air of pleased curiosity.

It was scarcely, perhaps, what he should have expected from a man in a similar position in his own country, but it was, at any rate, impressive.

Presently they came back to him.

This time it was Mr.Smith who spoke.
"Mr.Coulson," he said, "we need not beat about the bush.