)
DEVENISH. Come in.
(The door opens and BAXTER comes in nervously, holding his
bowler hat in his hand.)
BAXTER. Oh, I just--(TREMAYNE _stands up)--I just--(He goes back
again.)
DEVENISH (springing across the room). Baxter! (The door opens
nervously again and BAXTER'S head appears round it.) Come in,
Baxter, old man; you're just the very person I wanted. (BAXTER
comes in carefully.) Good man. (To TREMAYNE) This is Mr. Baxter
that I was telling you about.
TREMAYNE (much relieved at the appearance of his rival). Oh, is
this Mr. Baxter? (Holding out his hand with great friendliness)
How are you, Mr. Baxter?
DEVENISH (warningly). Steady! (TREMAYNE shakes BAXTER quite gently
by the hand.) Baxter, this is Mr. Robinson. (Casually.) R-o-b-i-n-
s-o-n. (He looks sideways at BAXTER to see how he takes it. BAXTER
is noticeably impressed.)
BAXTER. Really? I am very glad to meet you, sir.
TREMAYNE. Very good of you to say so.
DEVENISH (to BAXTER). Robinson is a great big-game hunter.
BAXTER. Indeed? I have never done anything in that way myself, but
I'm sure it must be an absorbing pursuit.
TREMAYNE. Oh, well, it's something to do.
DEVENISH (to BAXTER). You must get him to tell you about a wrestle
he had with a lion once. Extraordinary story! (Looking at his watch
suddenly.
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