Shall I open a flask?
No?
Well, then, I trust that you have no objection to tobacco-smoke, to the mild balsamic odor of the Eastern tobacco.

I am a little nervous, and I find my hookah an invaluable sedative." He applied a taper to the great bowl, and the smoke bubbled merrily through the rose-water.

We sat all three in a semicircle, with our heads advanced, and our chins upon our hands, while the strange, jerky little fellow, with his high, shining head, puffed uneasily in the centre.
"When I first determined to make this communication to you," said he, "I might have given you my address, but I feared that you might disregard my request and bring unpleasant people with you.

I took the liberty, therefore, of making an appointment in such a way that my man Williams might be able to see you first.

I have complete confidence in his discretion, and he had orders, if he were dissatisfied, to proceed no further in the matter.