He immediately sprang to his feet with a cry of welcome.
"I had made up my mind that you were not coming," he said as they shook hands.
"The old tub didn't get in until a quarter to nine," the taller of the two new-comers replied.

"When did you arrive ?" "This afternoon," said Hayle, and for a moment volunteered no further information.

A good poker-player is always careful not to show his hand.
"I suppose this place is not full ?" inquired the man who had last spoken.
"Full ?" asked Hayle scornfully.

"It's full of cockroaches and mildew, if that's what you mean ?" "The best company we could possibly have," said the taller man.
"Cockroaches and blackbeetles don't talk and they don't listen at keyholes.

What's more, if they trouble you, you can put your heel on them.