“No,” echoed Mr. Tongs.
“That’s very good of you, gentlemen. But at any rate I really have some business of the gravest importance still to discuss with you.”
“By all means, my dear sir,” said Mr. Ball with gusto, settling himself in an attitude of attention, while Mr. Tongs also prepared himself to listen.
“I wish, gentlemen,” announced “the Golden Shoemaker,” “to make my will.”
“To be sure,” said Mr. Ball.
“You see,” continued “Cobbler” Horn, “a journey to America is attended with some risk.”
“Precisely,” assented Mr. Ball. “And a man of your wealth, Mr. Horn, should not, in any case, postpone the making of his will. It was our intention to speak to you about the matter to-day.”
“To be sure,” said “Cobbler” Horn. “Can it be done at once?”
“Certainly,” responded the lawyer, drawing his chair to the table, and preparing, pen in hand, to receive the instructions of his client.
“You have no children, I think, Mr. Horn?”