Until we reached the club he maintained an unbroken silence.

He even ignored some passing comment of mine; but when once inside the building he seemed to remember that he was my host, and his manner became one of stiff kindness.

He ordered an excellent dinner and chose the wine with care.

Then he leaned a little forward across the table, and electrified me by his first remark.
"Ducaine," he said, "what relatives have you with whom you are in any sort of communication ?" "None at all!" I answered.
"Sir Michael Trogoldy was your mother's brother," he remarked.

"He is still alive." "I believe so," I admitted.