When presently both servants had temporarily retired. "You see,
Mr. Harley," began Sir Charles, glancing about his own room in a
manner almost furtive, "I realized to-day at your office that the
history of this dread which has come upon me perhaps went back so
far that it was almost impossible to acquaint you with it under
the circumstances."
"I quite understand."
"I think perhaps I should inform you in the first place that I
have a daughter. Her mother has been dead for many years, and
perhaps I have not given her the attention which a motherless
girl is entitled to expect from her father. I don't mean," he
said, hastily, "that we are in any sense out of sympathy, but
latterly in some way I must confess that we have got a little out
of touch." He glanced anxiously at his guest, indeed almost
apologetically. "You will of course understand, Mr. Harley, that
this seeming preamble may prove to have a direct bearing upon
what I propose to tell you?"
"Pray tell the story in your own way, Sir Charles," said Harley
with sympathy. "I am all attention, and I shall only interrupt
you in the event of any point not being quite clear."
"Thank you," said Sir Charles. "I find it so much easier to
explain the matter now. To continue, there is a certain
distinguished Oriental gentleman--"
He paused as Benson appeared to remove the soup plates.
"It is always delightful to chat with one who knows India so well
as you do," he continued, glancing significantly at his guest.
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