CHAPTER VI.
THE QUEST OF THE ROSE-RING
I.
Wanted, old parrakeet skins, in particular the rose-ringed. Description: Green Plumage; black band extending from chin nearly to nape; rose-coloured collar. Length about 16 inches. A fair price given for all and suitable. Apply 14a Lower Marsh, Westminster Bridge Rd.
Herbert Nestle, the astute, the resourceful, stood questioningly behind his principal as the latter ran through the above advertisement submitted to his consideration.
Gilead looked up, with a slightly puzzled expression.
“Certainly an odd requirement, Nestle,” he said. “But what do you see in it?”
“Nothing, indeed, sir,” answered the secretary, “but its oddity. It is a somewhat strange thing that the identical advertisement is repeated in another part of the paper, under the usual ‘Wants’ heading. The demand for parrakeet skins, especially for one description of parrakeet skins, should be urgent.”
“Are they the vogue?”
“Miss Halifax tells me not signally—not more than any other attractive plumage.”
“Nor rare and costly?”