A handsome man scarcely older than himself, in spite of a wavy
mass of perfectly white hair which contrasted singularly with his brown
mustache and dark sunburned face. So disguising was the effect of these
contradictions, that he not only looked unlike anybody else, but even
his nationality seemed to be a matter of doubt. Only his eyes, light
blue and intelligent, which had a singular expression of gentleness and
worry, appeared individual to the man. His manner was cultivated and
easy. He motioned his visitor courteously to a chair.
"I was referred to you," said Grant, almost abruptly, "as the person
responsible for a series of slanderous attacks against Mr. Daniel
Harcourt in the 'Clarion,' of which paper I believe you are the
proprietor. I was told that you declined to give the authority for your
action, unless you were forced to by legal proceedings."
Fletcher's sensitive blue eyes rested upon Grant's with an expression
of constrained pain and pity. "I heard of your inquiries, Mr. Grant; you
were making them on behalf of this Mr. Harcourt or Harkutt"--he made the
distinction with intentional deliberation--"with a view, I believe, to
some arbitration. The case was stated to you fairly, I think; I believe
I have nothing to add to it."
"That was your answer to the ambassador of Mr. Harcourt," said Grant,
coldly, "and as such I delivered it to him; but I am here to-day to
speak on my own account.
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