'Certainly you needn't,' said Mr. Galpin. 'I understand. I've been under lock and key myself.'
'I should offer you more than this paltry sum,' said Hugo, with a smile, 'but I know, of course, that a man like you can always obtain all the money he really wants.'
Mr. Galpin smiled, too.
'However,' continued Hugo, detaching his watch from his waistcoat, 'I will ask you to take something that you can't get elsewhere. This is the thinnest watch in the world. Bréguet, of the Rue de la Paix, Paris, made it specially for me. It is exactly the same size as a five-shilling piece. It repeats the quarters, shows the time in four cities, and does practically everything except tell the weather and the political party in power. It has one drawback. Only Bréguet can clean it, and he will charge you five guineas for the job, besides probably having you arrested for unlawful possession. I must write to him. Such as it is, accept it.'
The golden, jewelled toy was offered and received with a bow. The practised hands of Mr. Galpin had opened the case in two seconds.
'How do you regulate it?' demanded Mr. Galpin, staring at the movement.
'You don't,' said Hugo proudly; 'it never needs it.'
Mr. Galpin stood corrected.
'If there's anything in my line I can do for you at any time, sir,' said he.
Hugo pondered.