"Quite unnecessary," Mr. Sabin assured him. "Permit me to reflect for a few minutes. Your visit comes upon me as a surprise. Will you smoke? There are cigarettes at your elbow."
"I am entirely at your service," Lord Robert answered. "Thanks, I will try one of your cigarettes. You were always famous for your tobacco."
There was a short silence. Mr. Sabin had seldom found it more difficult to see the way before him.
"I imagined," he said at last, "from several little incidents which occurred previous to my leaving New York that my presence here was regarded as superfluous. Do you know, I believe that I could convince you to the contrary."
"Mr. dear Mr. Sabin," he said, "pray reflect. I am a messenger. No more! A hired commissionaire!"
"You magnify my position," he declared. "My errand is done when I remind you that it is many years since you visited Paris, that Vienna is as fascinating a city as ever, and Pesth a few hours journey beyond. But London--no, London is not possible for you. After the seventh day from this London would be worse than impossible."
Mr. Sabin smoked thoughtfully for a few moments.
"Lord Robert," he said, "I have, I believe, the right of a personal appeal. I desire to make it."
Lord Robert looked positively distressed.
"My dear sir," he said, "the right of appeal, any right of any sort, belongs only to those within the circle."
"Exactly," Mr. Sabin agreed. "I claim to belong there."
"You force me to remind you," he said, "of a certain decree--a decree of expulsion passed five years ago, and of which I presume due notification was given to you."
"I deny the legality of that decree," he said. "There can be no such thing as expulsion."
"There was Lefanu," Lord Robert murmured.
"He died," Mr. Sabin answered. "That was reasonable enough."
"Your services had been great," Lord Robert said, "and your fault was but venial."
"Nevertheless," Mr. Sabin said, "the one was logical, the other is not."
"You claim, then," the young man said, "to be still within the circle?"
"You are aware that this is a very dangerous claim?"
Mr. Sabin smiled, but he said nothing. Lord Robert hastened to excuse himself.
"I beg your pardon," he said. "I should have known better than to have used such a word to you. Permit me to take my leave."