He stepped toward the door of another room, but he put up his hand to warn her not to follow.
"I will bring it," he said in such grave tones that Clip wanted to laugh—surely this was a Shylock.
While he was within the room Cora whispered to Clip, and when the old man came out Clip was gone.
He had between his hands a small, very narrow table, like the old-time card table, with glass knob at either end, and on the long drop leaves were inlaid an anchor and crossed oars.
"That is just the size," declared Cora, while she trembled so she feared the man would detect her agitation. Then she looked it over, and under she was seeking for a hidden drawer.
"Are there drawers in it?" she asked.
"Oh, my, but yes. That is why it is worth so much. The drawers cannot all be found. It is like a safe—"
Cora was sure this was the long-lost table. Oh, if she could only induce the man to let her take it.
The price, she was positive, was far beyond that offered by the other customer, but that did not matter.
"You had better let me have this," she said. "I will take it right along and save express. Then make one for the other party, if he ever comes back."