‘You are in the estate business?’ Maier said. ‘Let me get you both a drink. What are you having?’

Solly pointed to the glasses. ‘Beer.’

Maier said: ‘On my expense account no one ever drinks beer. I take it that neither of you has any particular objection to whisky? Three double Scotches.’

‘Are you still with the same firm?’ Solly asked.

Maier smiled. ‘Nowadays I am the firm. Young Lucas was killed in the war, and Harvey’s sons aren’t interested in things. They made me a director in ’19, when they found they needed someone to do something besides sit in the office and wait for trade. There’s no one else who enjoys working.’

Solly asked: ‘How is business?’

‘Business is always good if you go about it the right way. Here are the drinks.’