“I realize it, and shall always remember it. But you came here to explain the business that brought you to Bombay.”
“I had no thought of Bombay, Mr. Saunders. It was an island in the Indian Ocean that I wished to visit.”
“Indeed! Have you visited it?”
“No, sir; and I fear that I shall never have an opportunity to do so.”
“I am in the dark. I do not understand you.”
“Then, sir, I will try to explain, but I am not sure what you will think of my enterprise.”
“Go on.”
The merchant settled himself in a posture of attention, and Guy began his narrative.
He was listened to without interruption. Guy could not gather from the merchant’s expression what impression the story was making upon him.
When he finished, Mr. Saunders said: