As he sat in his office the following Thursday, a clerk entered.
"Mr. Walton," he said, "there is a foreign gentleman in the store who wishes to see you."
"Is it a stranger?"
"Yes, sir."
"He wishes to see me on business, doubtless. You may bring him in."
The visitor entered—a man of medium size and swarthy complexion—who would be taken at first sight for a Spaniard or a Portuguese. Nicholas Walton regarded him with a look of inquiry.
"Do I speak to Mr. Walton?" asked the stranger, in good English, but with a foreign accent.
"I am Mr. Walton," answered the merchant.
"You are brother-in-law to Mr.—I beg pardon, Doctor Baker?"
"Ye-es," answered the merchant, with a startled look.