The massive chimneypiece was of black oak, and above it were carved the arms of the House of Fentolin.
The walls were oak-panelled to the ceiling.
"Refreshed, I hope, by your bath and change, my dear visitor ?" the head of the house remarked, as he laid down his paper.

"Draw a chair up here and join me in a glass of vermouth.

You need not be afraid of it.

It comes to me from the maker as a special favour." Hamel accepted a quaintly-cut wine-glass full of the amber liquid.

Mr.
Fentolin sipped his with the air of a connoisseur.
"This," he continued, "is one of our informal days.