Read "The Mysterious Three" by William le Queux online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
He gave a hardly perceptible start on seeing me. Then he extended his big hand and grasped mine in the most friendly way.
"Well, this is a real surprise -- a very pleasant surprise, Mr. Ashton," he said, looking me full in the eyes. "I have often thought of you since the evening we met and had that pleasant meal together, and I told you my name was Smithson, because I knew the name would puzzle you. And what are you doing here? Making an ocular survey -- as I am?"