Mr Slater was upstairs in his office when the Russian came to call. With many candles lighting his work in the shadowy room; despite the chilliness of the night Slater was rather warm, and his boys were running around doing their usual nightly errands. He did not hear the door knocked, nor did he hear his watchman leading the Russian up the stairs to his office. He was quite engrossed in the evening newspaper; apparently a man who owed Slater a lot of money had been found dead in the Thames... what a pity...
"A man to see you, Sir," said the boy as he introduced the guest. With a sniff down his nose Slater did not bother to fold the article.