"I have come to sell you some pictures, Mr. Preston."
"You haven't turned artist?" said the merchant, surprised.
"No; but I am acting as agent for a poor artist, who is in great need of money."
"A poor artist in both senses of the word, eh, Paul?"
"No, I think not. I am not a judge of pictures, but these seem to me very good."
"Let me see them."
Paul unrolled the bundle and displayed them. Mr. Preston took them in his hands, and examined them with interest.
"They are good pictures," he said, after a pause. "Who is the artist?"
"An Englishman named Henderson. I will tell you all I know of his story. He has been very unfortunate, and is now in pressing need of assistance."
Mr. Preston listened to the story with which the reader is already familiar. When it was concluded he said, "We must help him."