He had an intellectual interest in some imaginary escapade of the far-distant Mrs.De Peyster; but no more; and he was obviously comfortable where he was.
Matilda started out, but was recalled by a glance of imperative appeal from Mrs.De Peyster.

And so the three sat on in silence for a time, Mrs.De Peyster and Matilda taut with expectant fear, Mr.Pyecroft loungingly unconcerned.
And thus they were still sitting when there was a knock, which Mr.
Pyecroft answered.

The cabinet-maker entered.

He wore a slouching, ready-made suit and a celluloid collar with ready-made bow tie snapped by an elastic over his collar-button--the conventional garb of the artisan who aspires for the air of gentlemanliness while at work.

His face, though fresh-shaven, was dark with the sub-cutaneous stubble of a heavy beard; his eyes were furtive, with that masked gleam of Olympian all-confidence which a detective can never entirely mask.
"How are you, Miss Simpson ?" he said to Matilda.