Publisher's Synopsis
Book Excerpt: ...umped into it and departed. When I got back to the billiard-room Nikola was still there, practising losing hazards of extraordinary difficulty."'I've an opinion I've seen your friend before, ' he said, as I sat down to watch him. 'He is Benwell of the Y-chang, and if I mistake not Benwell of the Y-chang remembers me.'"'He seems to know you, ' I said with a laugh."'Yes, Nikola continued after a little pause; 'I have had the pleasure of being in Mr. Benwell's company once before. It was in Haiphong.' Then with peculiar emphasis: ' I don't know what he thinks of the place, of course, but somehow I have an idea your friend will not willingly go near Haiphong again.' After he had said this he remained silent for a little while, then he took a letter from his pocket, read it carefully, examined the envelope, and having made up his mind on a certain point turned to me again."'I want to ask you a question, ' he said, putting the cue he had been using back into the rack. 'You know a person
