Page:Burton Stevenson--The marathon mystery.djvu/133



HAVE come to thank you for your kindness of last night,” said Tremaine, as he entered. “It was a great favour.”

“It was nothing,” I protested, waving him to a chair. “I was glad to do it. I had a very pleasant time myself.”

As he sat down, he laid a handful of cigarettes on the table beside him.

“You see I’ve come for a chat,” he said, with his inimitable smile. “I hope you will help yourself.”

“Thank you,” and I suited the action to the word; Tremaine’s cigarettes would have tempted anyone. “I trust the business of the railroad is getting on well?”

“Splendidly!” he answered, inhaling a great puff of smoke. “The interview of last night did much to assist it. It was for that also I wished to thank you—for leaving me free—it was most important.”

I waved my cigarette deprecatingly. I was conscious that he was watching me keenly.

“I am not interrupting any plans of yours?” he asked suddenly. “You were not going out? You’re not expecting visitors?”

“No,” I said, “I’d resigned myself to spend the