lit by the leaping flames of the fire, and I proposed dinner the next evening and a theatre afterwards, to which he raised no objection.
I could read in his face the word "adventurer." And further, I had no great liking for the thin, sallow-faced foreign valet who attended him.
Presently I remarked casually:
"I suppose you got the cigarette-tube all right?"
"Oh, yes, d'Escombe. So many thanks for it," he replied. "How very foolish of me. I quite forgot to thank you for it. I've smoked it every day since. See, I have it now," and he removed it from his lips. "I find it most pleasant smoking, so cool and different altogether from the usual mode."
"Yes, I see. But" I exclaimed, scrutinizing his lips. "You were only just in time, Mr. Davies."
"Why, what do you mean?" he asked in surprise.
"Oh, nothing very much," I replied, in an endeavour to treat the matter with unconcern. "Only—well, I see you have a significant sore upon your lower lip."
"It came yesterday," he said. "I've never had one before. You're a doctor, d'Escombe;
