He was, however, speedily undeceived.
"Will you have the kindness to accompany me in a cab?" said Markham. "You can render me a service in the way in which I am about to dispose of this money."
"Certainly," returned Mr. Dyson, "Are you going far?"
"Not very," answered Richard; and when they were both seated in the vehicle, he told the driver to proceed towards the Queen's Bench Prison, but to stop at some distance from the gates.
These directions were obeyed.
"Now, Mr. Dyson," said Richard, "will you have the kindness to repair to the office of the prison, and inquire the amount of debts for which a certain Count Alteroni is detained in custody?"
Mr. Dyson obeyed the instructions thus given to him, and in ten minutes returned from the prison with a copy of causes in his hand.
"Count Alteroni is a prisoner for eighteen hundred and twenty-one pounds," said the lawyer.
"Are there any fees or extra expenses beyond the sum specified in that paper?" asked Richard.
"Yes—merely a few shillings," replied the solicitor.