“I suppose that is the beginning. Well, that doesn’t worry me. But I should like to know how he expects to get more money out of me. I don’t understand the ways of this gentry.”
“Nor I very well. If you are on your guard I think you won’t be in any danger.”
“I will remember what you say. You seem young to act as adviser to a man like me. Are you in business?”
“At present I am out of work, but I have money enough to last me three months.”
“Are you, like my new acquaintance, possessed of independent means?”
“Not now, but I was six months ago.”
“How did you lose your money?”
“I did not lose it. My guardian lost it for me.”
“What is your name?”
“Rodney Ropes.”