CHAPTER IV 

To reach their table, the one concerning which Francis and his friend had been speculating, the new arrivals, piloted by Louis, had to pass within a few feet of the two men. The woman, serene, coldly beautiful, dressed like a Frenchwoman in unrelieved black, with extraordinary attention to details, passed them by with a careless glance and subsided into the chair which Louis was holding. Her companion, however, as he recognised Francis hesitated. His expression of somewhat austere gloom was lightened. A pleasant but tentative smile parted his lips. He ventured upon a salutation, half a nod, half a more formal bow, a salutation which Francis instinctively returned. Andrew Wilmore looked on with curiosity. 

"So that is Oliver Hilditch," he murmured. 

"That is the man," Francis observed, "of whom last evening half the people in this restaurant were probably asking themselves whether or not he was guilty of murder. To-night they will be wondering what he is going to order for dinner. It is a strange world." 

"Strange indeed," Wilmore assented. "This afternoon he was in the dock, with his fate in the balance--the condemned cell or a favoured table at Claridge's. And your meeting! One can imagine him gripping your hands, with tears in his eyes, his voice broken with emotion, sobbing out his thanks. And instead you exchange polite bows. I would not have missed this situation for anything." 

"Tradesman!" Francis scoffed. "One can guess already at the plot of your next novel." 

"He has courage," Wilmore declared. "He has also a very beautiful companion. Were you serious, Francis, when you told me that that was his wife?"  QUESTIONS:

Q1:
1. What was Oliver's afternoon location?
2. Where could Oliver be found in the afternoon?
3. In what location did Oliver remain in the afternoon?
Q2:
1. What did the patrons likely want to know the day before?
2. Yesterday, what were the patrons probably asking?
3. What question did yesterday's patrons probably have?
Q3:
1. What question do the patrons probably have today?
2. What is the likely question of today's patrons?
3. What do the patrons of today probably want to know?
Q4:
1. Does Oliver have a companion?
2. Is anyone accompanying Oliver?
3. Is Oliver accompanied by someone?
Q5:
1. What color is worn by Oliver's companion?
2. What color does Oliver's companion have on?
3. What is the color of the clothes worn by the woman with Oliver?
Q6:
1. What is Oliver's companion dressed like?
2. Oliver's companion resembles what in the way she dresses?
3. The way that the woman with Oliver dresses makes her resemble what?
Q7:
1. Does Oliver have a beautiful companion?
2. Is Oliver's companion quite attractive?
3. Does Oliver's companion turn heads?
Q8:
1. Who is Oliver's companion to him?
2. What is the relationship of Oliver's companion to him?
3. Who is Oliver's companion exactly?
Q9:
1. What is Oliver's full name?
2. State the full name of Oliver?
3. What is Oliver's both first and last name?
Q10:
1. Who is Francis' companion?
2. Who is at the restaurant with Francis?
3. Who is dining with Francis?
Q11:
1. What does Francis think the situation will become for Wilmore?
2. What does Francis think Wilmore will turn the situation into?
3. In Francis's opinion, what will the situation provide fodder for to Wilmore?
Q12:
1. Does Wilmore take Oliver for a coward?
2. Is Oliver a coward in Wilmore's eyes?
3. Does Wilmore believe that Oliver lacks courage?
Q13:
1. How does Wilmore feel about Oliver?
2. What is Wilmore's opinion of Oliver?
3. What does Wilmore have to say about Oliver's character?
Q14:
1. Would it be accurate to call Oliver a gentleman?
2. Might we say that Oliver is a gentleman?
3. Could we take Oliver for a gentleman?
Q15:
1. What is indicative that Oliver is a gentleman?
2. Provide some evidence for the claim that Oliver is a gentleman?
3. What gesture indicates that Oliver has gentlemanly ways?
Q16:
1. Who holds the chair out for Oliver's wife?
2. Who is holding a chair for Oliver's companion?
3. Who pulls out the chair for Oliver's wife to sit in?
Q17:
1. Does Oliver's wife smile at Francis and Wilmore?
2. Do Francis and Wilmore receive a smile from Oliver's wife?
3. Does Oliver's companion give Francis and Wilmore a friendly look?
Q18:
1. Is there any way that Oliver's wife acknowledges Francis and Wilmore?
2. Does Oliver's companion do anything to acknowledge Francis and Wilmore?
3. Are Francis and Wilmore noticed by Oliver's wife?
Q19:
1. Give the first name of Wilmore.
2. What first name does Wilmore go by?
3. 
Q20:
1. Did Francis return Oliver's greeting?
2. When Oliver bowed, did Francis return the greeting?
3. Did Francis respond to Oliver's bow?
