Page:Richardson - 2835 Mayfair (1907).djvu/19

Rh He was standing with his back to Reggie, who inquired:

"What do you mean by that? He has the most wonderful eyesight. What makes you think he hasn't?"

"Why," exclaimed Harding, turning round, "these spectacles. A man does not wear spectacles if he has perfect sight."

"But Clifford never wore spectacles. These are not his spectacles."

"Are they yours or the charwoman's?"

"Certainly not."

"Who can have left them here?"

"My dear Harding," Reggie answered, "since I have been here, not a soul has entered the house. I tell you he never receives anybody here. I don't know what he keeps the place for except for the excuse for giving me my £500."

"Nonsense," replied Harding, "you could have taken £500 a year all right without his putting himself out to run such an expensive hobby as a house in King Street, even a little house like this."

"I tell you what it is, Harding, the whole thing beats me. I have never been able to understand why a man should have his consulting-rooms in Harley Street and sleep here. Of course, no man could live in Harley Street. It is like living in a dissecting-room. But with his reputation he could have brought his patients to Bayswater or Tulse Hill."