He received it at first carelessly, but his expression changed the moment he saw the superscription.

He turned a little away, and Mr.Sabin noticed that the fingers which tore open the envelope were trembling.
The note seemed short enough, but he must have read it half a dozen times before at last he turned round to the messenger.
"There is no answer," he said in a low tone.
He folded the note and put it carefully into his breast pocket.

Mr.
Sabin subdued an insane desire to struggle with him and discover, by force, if necessary, who was the sender of those few brief lines.

For Mr.Brott was a changed man.
"I am afraid," he said, turning to his guest, "that this has been a very dull evening for you.

To tell you the truth, this club is not exactly the haunt of pleasure-seekers.