“Is it you!” He held out a cordial hand.
He served on a dozen boards with Robert More—and was proud of it.
“I never supposed you were interested in the Chinese coat!” He touched a paper on the desk.
“Sit down. They said the man who left the order was here—and I happened to have kept the name, ’Richard More.’ But it never occurred to me it was you!” He was still standing and staring at him as if he could not quite believe his eyes.
“I did not expect you to remember the order,” said Richard. “I merely sent up word—on the chance.”
The other nodded. “Oh, yes. I remember it quite well.... You see I took personal interest in the coat. I never really meant to sell it.... It was a curious garment....”
The two men of business sat silent—as if seeing it before them.
It was Stewart who roused himself first. “I came on it in a town—a little back in the interior. I was there on other business, semi-confidential business for the government—and I saw this coat and liked it, and bought it.... I think I had a half-idea of giving it to my wife.” He smiled a little absently.
“I did not know you were married,” said Richard More politely. He really knew very little about the man. It did not interest him—except for politeness.
Stewart looked at him keenly a minute. “I am not married,” he said. “I never have been.... If I had married I should not have let the Chinese coat go.” He spoke with a certain curious emphasis and Richard glanced at him.