CHAPTER XLIII. — THE STRANGER.
A few weeks after Langhetti’s visit Potts had a new visitor at the bank. The stranger entered the bank parlor noiselessly, and stood quietly waiting for Potts to be disengaged. That worthy was making some entries in a small memorandum-book. Turning his head, he saw the newcomer. Potts looked surprised, and the stranger said, in a peculiar voice, somewhat gruff and hesitating,
“Mr. Potts?”
“Yes,” said Potts, looking hard at his visitor.
He was a man of singular aspect. His hair was long, parted in the middle, and straight. He wore dark colored spectacles. A thick, black beard ran under his chin. His linen was not over-clean, and he wore a long surtout coat.
“I belong to the firm of Bigelow, Higginson, & Co., Solicitors, London.—I am the Co.”
“Well!”
“The business about which I have come is one of some importance. Are we secure from interruption?”