The man eyed his customers and did not despair. “But, gents,” said he, “I have got other things besides gim-cracks; something that will suit you if you can read.”
“Of course we can read,” replied sunken-eyes haughtily; and in fact they had been too often in jail to escape this accomplishment.
The peddler looked furtively in every direction; and after this precaution pressed a spring and brought a small drawer out from the bottom of his pack. The two rogues winked at one another. Out of the drawer the peddler whipped a sealed packet.
“What is it?” asked mephistopheles, beginning to take an interest.
“Just imported from England,” said the peddler, a certain pomp mingling with his furtive and mysterious manner.
“—— England,” was the other's patriotic reply.
“And translated from the French.”
“That is better! but what is it?”
“Them that buy it—they will see!”
“Something flash?”