His fit of impotent rage died down as suddenly as it had sprung up, and immediately he became again the quiet, suave, smoothspoken individual who had first entered my office.
"I must beg your pardon, Mr.Fairfax," he said, in a totally different voice to that in which he had just spoken.

"When I remember how we have been wronged I am apt to forget myself.

I trust you will forgive me ?" "I will do so willingly," I answered.

"You have certainly won the right to be excused if you entertain a feeling of resentment for the man who has treated you so shamefully.

And now to resume our conversation ?" "What were you about to say ?" "I was about to ask you the number and description of the stones of which he robbed you.