Page:Fletcher - The Mortover Grange Affair.pdf/172

 wherein, on opposite sides of the centre table each holding his hat on his knees sat two men, whose outward appearance Wedgwood immediately set himself to examine. One he at once set down as a waiter and probably an Italian; the other he saw to be a taxi-cab driver. And he saw, too, that each man was anxious to speak first. But Nottidge was equally quick to see that and was equal to the occasion.

"Want to see me about my advertisement in this morning's paper, eh?" he said without ceremony. "Very well! Now which got here first?"

The man whom Wedgwood classed as a waiter spread his hands.

"Me—I am here first. I come—yes, ten minutes, fifteen, perhaps, before him. The lady outside—she tell you so."

"All right!" said Nottidge. "You're number one, then." He drew a chair to the table and motioned Wedgwood to a seat close by. "Go ahead!" he commanded. "What have you got to tell?"

The waiter produced Nottidge's advertisement, carefully cut from its context, and laying it on the table put a forefinger on it.

"These ladies—what is describe here—I see them!" he began. "What you call identify