And through it presently came a figure and face which he at once recognized as those of an undersized, common-looking, sly-faced little man whom he had often seen about the Law Courts in London, and had taken for a solicitor's clerk.

He looked just as common and sly as ever as he sidled into the smoking-room, removing his silk hat with one hand and depositing a brief bag on the table with the other, and he favoured Brereton with a sickly grin of recognition after he had made a bow to the master of the house.
That done he rubbed together two long and very thin white hands and smiled at Brereton once more.
"Good-evening, Mr.Brereton," he said in a thin, wheedling voice.

"I've no doubt you've seen me before, sir ?--I've seen you often--round about the Courts, Mr.Brereton--though I've never had the pleasure of putting business in your way--as yet, Mr.Brereton, as yet, sir! But----" Brereton, to whom Bent had transferred Mr.Christopher Pett's card, glanced again at it, and from it to its owner.
"I see your address is that of Messrs.

Popham & Pilboody in Cursitor Street, Mr.Pett," he observed frigidly.

"Any connection with that well-known firm ?" Mr.Pett rubbed his hands, and taking the chair which Bent silently indicated, sat down and pulled his trousers up about a pair of bony knees.