"I--I am not aware what can have procured me the honour of a visit, Mr.--Mr.--" and the old gentleman held up Mr. Simnel's card at arm's-length, and looked at it through his double eyeglass.
"Simnel's my name! I daresay it conveys to you no meaning whatsoever?"
"Oh, I beg your pardon! On the contrary, your name is familiar to me as that of the secretary of the Tin-Tax Office. I am glad to make your acquaintance, sir. I often have communication with official men. What can I do for you?"
"It's in a private capacity that I've come to see you," said Mr. Simnel. "I heard you were going out of town, and I had something special to talk over with you."
"I must trouble you to be concise and quick," said Mr. Townshend, by no means relishing the easy manner of his visitor. "As you say, I am going out of town,--for the benefit of my health,--and every moment is precious."
"I shall not detain you very long," said Simnel, who had begun to nurse his leg, to Mr. Townshend's intense disgust. "I suppose we're private here? You'll excuse me; but you'll be glad of it before I've done. I may as well be brief in what I have to say; it will save both of us trouble. To begin with: I'm not by origin a London man. I come from Combcardingham; so do you."
Mr. Townshend's cheeks paled a little as he said, "I came from Calcutta sir."
"Yes; last, I know; but you went to Calcutta, and from Combcardingham."
"I never was in the place in my life."
"Weren't you indeed? then it must have been your twin-brother. I know a curious story about him, which I'll tell you."