He bowed very low.

'I'm not very sure,' he said: 'I have an idea we have met before ?' 'Informally,' I said, returning his bow; 'and I have long looked forward to the pleasure of regularising our acquaintance.' 'You are very good, Mr.Ducie,' he returned.

'Perhaps you could aid my memory a little?
Where was it that I had the pleasure ?' 'Oh, that would be telling tales out of school,' said I, with a laugh, 'and before my lawyer, too!' 'I'll wager,' broke in Mr.Robbie, 'that, when you knew my client, Chevenix--the past of our friend Mr.Ducie is an obscure chapter full of horrid secrets--I'll wager, now, you knew him as St.Ivey,' says he, nudging me violently.
'I think not, sir,' said the Major, with pinched lips.
'Well, I wish he may prove all right!' continued the lawyer, with certainly the worst-inspired jocularity in the world.

'I know nothing by him! He may be a swell mobsman for me with his aliases.

You must put your memory on the rack, Major, and when ye've remembered when and where ye met him, be sure ye tell me.' 'I will not fail, sir,' said Chevenix.
'Seek to him!' cried Robbie, waving his hand as he departed.
The Major, as soon as we were alone, turned upon me his impassive countenance.
'Well,' he said, 'you have courage.' 'It is undoubted as your honour, sir,' I returned, bowing.
'Did you expect to meet me, may I ask ?' said he.
'You saw, at least, that I courted the presentation,' said I.
'And you were not afraid ?' said Chevenix.
'I was perfectly at ease.