Beyond these all the room contained was a small bookcase, crowded with volumes, and a few chairs, only one upholstered.

The only person present occupied this, and was seated at the desk, watching me, a cigarette smoking between his fingers.

It was the olive-hued man of the cellar, the one I had picked as leader, and his teeth gleamed white in an effort to smile.

In spite of his skin and dark eyes, I could not guess at his nationality, but felt an instinctive dislike to him, more deeply rooted than before, now that I comprehended how completely I was in his power.
"Take a seat, Craig," he said, speaking with a faint accent barely perceptible.

"The second chair will be found the more comfortable.
Now we can talk easily.