He did not hold out his hand, but he eyed Brooks with a sort of critical survey, which the latter found a little disconcerting.
"You wished to see me, sir ?" Brooks asked.

"My name is Kingston Brooks, and these are my rooms." "So I understood," the new-comer replied imperturbably.

"I called about an hour ago, and took the liberty of awaiting your return." Brooks sat down.

His vis-a-vis was calmly selecting a cigarette from a capacious case.

Brooks found himself offering a light and accepting a cigarette himself, the flavour of which he at once appreciated.
"Can I offer you a whisky-and-soda ?" he inquired.
"I thank you, no," was the quiet reply.
There was a short pause.
"You wished to see me on some business connected with the election, no doubt ?" Brooks suggested.
His visitor shook his head slowly.