`` I do not know your name , '' said he , `` nor yet your face . '' `` My name is David Balfour , '' said I. `` David Balfour ? '' he repeated , in rather a high tone , like one surprised . `` And where have you come from , Mr. David Balfour ? '' he asked , looking me pretty drily in the face . `` I have come from a great many strange places , sir , '' said I ; `` but I think it would be as well to tell you where and how in a more private manner . '' He seemed to muse awhile , holding his lip in his hand , and looking now at me and now upon the causeway of the street . `` Yes , '' says he , `` that will be the best , no doubt . '' And he led me back with him into his house , cried out to some one whom I could not see that he would be engaged all morning , and brought me into a little dusty chamber full of books and documents . Here he sate down , and bade me be seated ; though I thought he looked a little ruefully from his clean chair to my muddy rags . `` And now , '' says he , `` if you have any business , pray be brief and come swiftly to the point . Nec gemino bellum Trojanum orditur ab ovo -- do you understand that ? '' says he , with a keen look . `` I will even do as Horace says , sir , '' I answered , smiling , `` and carry you in medias res . '' He nodded as if he was well pleased , and indeed his scrap of Latin had been set to test me . For all that , and though I was somewhat encouraged , the blood came in my face when I added : `` I have reason to believe myself some rights on the estate of Shaws . '' He got a paper book out of a drawer and set it before him open . `` Well ? '' said he . But I had shot my bolt and sat speechless .
`` Come , come , Mr. XXXXX , '' said he , `` you must continue .
Balfour Horace Mr. Shaws causeway estate morning ovo res sir