"
He stalked solemnly ahead, and I followed him along the corridor.
CHAPTER XXIII
THE PRETENDER
Mr. de Valentin led the way to a secluded corner of the smoke-room, and
laid a well-filled cigarette case upon the table. He beckoned to the
steward.
"You will take something?" he asked.
I ordered a whisky and soda and lit a cigarette. I had tasted nothing
like them since I had left England. Mr. de Valentin leaned across the
table towards me.
"Mr. Courage," he said, "I am going to ask you to accept a confidence
from me. You are an English gentleman, and although I have not the honor
to be myself an Englishman, my associations with your country have always
been very close, and I am well aware that a special significance attaches
itself to that term."
He paused and looked across at me somewhat anxiously. His speech was slow
but very distinct. He had little accent, but I had known quite well that
he was not an Englishman.
"I shall be very glad to hear anything that you have to say, Mr. de
Valentin," I answered.
He beat with his forefinger upon the table for a few moments absently.
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