May I ask you, Mr Montmorency, before I rejoin my companion outside, whether, in your business, it is usual to ask for houses by their colour?
Do clients write to a house-agent asking for a pink house or a blue house?
Or, to take another instance, for a green house ?" "Only," said Montmorency, trembling, "only to be inconspicuous." Rupert had his ruthless smile.

"Can you tell me any place on earth in which a green house would be inconspicuous ?" The house-agent was fidgeting nervously in his pocket.

Slowly drawing out a couple of lizards and leaving them to run on the counter, he said: "No; I can't." "You can't suggest an explanation ?" "No," said Mr Montmorency, rising slowly and yet in such a way as to suggest a sudden situation, "I can't.

And may I, as a busy man, be excused if I ask you, gentlemen, if you have any demand to make of me in connection with my business.

What kind of house would you desire me to get for you, sir ?" He opened his blank blue eyes on Rupert, who seemed for the second staggered.