Publisher's Synopsis
THE cab pulled up before a particularly dreary and greasy beershop, into which Gregoryrapidly conducted his companion. They seated themselves in a close and dim sort of barparlour, at a stained wooden table with one wooden leg. The room was so small and dark, that very little could be seen of the attendant who was summoned, beyond a vague anddark impression of something bulky and bearded."Will you take a little supper?" asked Gregory politely. "The pate de foie gras is not goodhere, but I can recommend the game."Syme received the remark with stolidity, imagining it to be a joke. Accepting the vein ofhumour, he said, with a well-bred indifference-"Oh, bring me some lobster mayonnaise."To his indescribable astonishment, the man only said "Certainly, sir!" and went awayapparently to get it."What will you drink?" resumed Gregory, with the same careless yet apologetic air. "Ishall only have a creme de menthe myself; I have dined. But the champagne can really betrusted. Do let me start you with a half-bottle of Pommery at least?""Thank you!" said the motionless Syme. "You are very good."His further attempts at conversation, somewhat disorganised in themselves, were cutshort finally as by a thunderbolt by the actual appearance of the lobster. Syme tasted it, andfound it particularly good. Then he suddenly began to eat with great rapidity and appetite."Excuse me if I enjoy myself rather obviously!" he said to Gregory, smiling. "I don't oftenhave the luck to have a dream like this. It is new to me for a nightmare to lead to a lobster.It is commonly the other way.""You are not asleep, I assure you," said Gregory. "You are, on the contrary, close to themost actual and rousing moment of your existence. Ah, here comes your champagne! Iadmit that there may be a slight disproportion, let us say, between the inner arrangementsof this excellent hotel and its simple and unpretentious exterior. But that is all our modesty.We are the most modest men that ever lived on earth.""And who are we?" asked Syme, emptying his champagne glass."It is quite simple," replied Gregory. "We are the serious anarchists, in whom you do notbelieve.""Oh!" said Syme shortly. "You do yourselves well in drinks.""Yes, we are serious about everything," answered Gregory.Then after a pause he added-"If in a few moments this table begins to turn round a little, don't put it down to yourinroads into the champagne. I don't wish you to do yourself an injustice.""Well, if I am not drunk, I am mad," replied Syme with perfect calm; "but I trust I canbehave like a gentleman in either condition. May I smoke?"