"My dear friend, don't use such vulgar terms!" said Palmer reproachfully. "It's not only inelegant, but it's imprudent. Suppose anybody heard you?"
"Your reproof is just, Palmer. I am rather a blunderer, I admit. I see you are traveling under a false name."
"What do you mean?"
Wellington pointed to a small card attached to the valise. It bore the name of Edmund Lawrence.
When Palmer's glance fell on this card, a quick glance of dismay swept over his face.
"That isn't my valise!" he said.
"Not your valise!"
"No. The clerk has made a mistake. I must see him at once!" continued Palmer, in an agitated voice. "He may have given my valise to this man Lawrence, and in that case I am ruined. Stay here till I return."
Palmer seized the satchel, opened the door, and descended to the office in breathless haste. As he dashed up to the desk the clerk eyed him in mild surprise.
"What is the matter?" he asked.