Chapter XV Hostages

* * * * * Ten minutes later Simmons, still a little pink about the eyes and inclined to intermittent chokings, ushered a visitor into the empty morning-room. He was an attractive-looking, clean-shaven, well-set-up man of about forty-five, dressed in a blue serge suit. The suit was smart and well cut, but inclined to be shiny at the seams. The stranger looked round the sunny room, with its bright chintzes and flowers, with obvious interest and appreciation. Then he turned to Simmons, and …