It was the last arrival, the man who sat at Mr.
Grex's right hand, who was responsible for the general unrest.
Mr.Grex moved a little nervously in the chair which he had just drawn up to the table.

He looked towards Draconmeyer as he opened the proceedings.
"Monsieur Douaille," he said, "has come to see us this evening at my own urgent request.

Before we commence any sort of discussion, he has asked me to make it distinctly understood to you both--to you, Mr.
Draconmeyer, and to you, Herr Selingman--that this is not in any sense of the word a formal meeting or convention.

We are all here, as it happens, by accident.

Our friend Selingman, for instance, who is a past master in the arts of pleasant living, has not missed a season here for many years.