“The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson.

“ ‘This is my secretary and manager,’ said the colonel. ‘By the way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just now. I fear that you have felt the draught.’

“ ‘On the contrary,’ said I, ‘I opened the door myself because I felt the room to be a little close.’

“He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. ‘Perhaps we had better proceed to business, then,’ said he. ‘ Mr. Ferguson and I will take you up to see the machine.’

“ ‘I had better put my hat on, I suppose.’

“ ‘Oh, no, it is in the house.’

“ ‘What, you dig fuller’s-earth in the house?’