There was a spot of warm colour on his cheeks; he held himself very upright and had a painfully self-conscious air.
He stopped before a dwelling-house, rang the bell, and made inquiry whether Mr.Mutimer was at home.

The reply being affirmative, he followed the servant up to the first floor.

His name was announced at the door of a sitting-room, and he entered.
Two men were conversing in the room.

One sat at the table with a sheet of paper before him, sketching a rough diagram and scribbling notes; this was Richard Mutimer.

He was dressed in a light tweed suit; his fair moustache and beard were trimmed, and the hand which rested on the table was no longer that of a daily-grimed mechanic.