“And what do you think they will fetch?” he inquired.
“I could not give you the slightest idea,” I replied; “but if you can get me that one in front of us for five hundred pounds I'll give you twenty-five per cent, commission.”
He was staggered.
“Five hundred!” he cried. “You must be joking, sir.”
“I admit it,” said I. “I should have said a thousand.”
“But really, sir, how far would we be safe to go for them all? There are four of us here, and we are ready to make a dash for them if we had your opinion about them.”
“Look here, my good man,” said I. “You may reckon on my giving you five hundred pounds for any picture in this room that is knocked down to you. I'll put that in writing for you if you wish.”
“It's not necessary, sir,” he repeated. “We'll buy the lot of them for you for less money.”
“Do, and I shall be a rich man afterwards,” said I.
He went away chuckling.