He had curly fair hair, a sharp face with narrow eyes, thick lips and an indifferent complexion.
"Are you Maraton ?" he demanded.
"I am," Maraton admitted.

"And you ?" "I am Richard Graveling, M.P.," the young man announced, with a certain emphasis on those last two letters,--"M.P.

for Poplar East.

We expected you at the Clarion to-night." "I had other business," Maraton remarked calmly.
The young man appeared a trifle disconcerted.
"I don't see what business you can have here till we've talked things out and laid our plans," he declared.

"I am secretary of the committee appointed to meet and confer with you.