"
Rupert had his ruthless smile. "Can you tell me any place on earth
in which a green house would be inconspicuous?"
The house-agent was fidgeting nervously in his pocket. Slowly
drawing out a couple of lizards and leaving them to run on the
counter, he said:
"No; I can't."
"You can't suggest an explanation?"
"No," said Mr Montmorency, rising slowly and yet in such a way as
to suggest a sudden situation, "I can't. And may I, as a busy man,
be excused if I ask you, gentlemen, if you have any demand to make
of me in connection with my business. What kind of house would you
desire me to get for you, sir?"
He opened his blank blue eyes on Rupert, who seemed for the second
staggered. Then he recovered himself with perfect common sense and
answered:
"I am sorry, Mr Montmorency. The fascination of your remarks has
unduly delayed us from joining our friend outside. Pray excuse my
apparent impertinence."
"Not at all, sir," said the house-agent, taking a South American
spider idly from his waistcoat pocket and letting it climb up the
slope of his desk. "Not at all, sir. I hope you will favour me
again."
Rupert Grant dashed out of the office in a gust of anger, anxious
to face Lieutenant Keith. He was gone. The dull, starlit street was
deserted.
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