"This seat is disengaged ?" "As you see," Hunterleys replied.
The little man smiled his thanks, seated himself with a sigh of content and ordered coffee from a passing waiter.
"Monsieur is doubtless a stranger to Monte Carlo ?" "It is my second visit only," Hunterleys admitted.
"For myself I am an habitue," the little man continued, "I might almost say a resident.

Therefore, all faces soon become familiar to me.
Directly I saw monsieur, I knew that he was not a frequenter." Hunterleys turned a little in his chair and surveyed his neighbour curiously.

The man was neatly dressed and he spoke English with scarcely any accent.

His shoulders and upturned moustache gave him a military appearance.
"There is nothing I envy any one so much in life," he proceeded, "as coming to Monte Carlo for the first or second time.

There is so much to know, to see, to understand." Hunterleys made no effort to discourage his companion's obvious attempts to be friendly.