“No, sir.”

“When will he be in?”

“He may return late in the afternoon. He left word, if any one called, to ask them to come back to-morrow morning.”

“That won’t do for me. I must leave the city this evening. I am sorry not to find him in,” said the stranger, in a tone of vexation.

“Perhaps you will leave word about your business, and he can write to you.”

“It was about some spices that I wished to purchase, if we could come to terms.”

“Oh,” said Harry, with animation, “he left word with me about that. I can tell you whatever you wish to know.”

“Do you know his price,—his lowest price?”

“Yes, sir; it is ten thousand dollars. He won’t take a cent less.”