Mr. Asherill smiled again, and mentally scored another trick; but he only said aloud,
"Nevertheless, with many thanks for your offer, this is a business I would much rather decline."
"Forde wants you to undertake it as a particular favour," remarked Mr. Werner.
"Oh! indeed."
"Yes," agreed Mr. Kleinwort; "his words were, 'Tell Asherill there can be no loss; that there must be profit, and that he will be doing me and other people, Mortomley included, a good turn besides.'"
Mr. Asherill leaned back in his arm-chair and closed his eyes; he touched the fingers of his right hand with his left, and might have looked, to those who knew no better, engaged in prayer.
Messrs. Kleinwort and Werner did know better; nevertheless, they regarded him impatiently, not knowing what turn his meditations might take, and meantime matters were pressing.
At length. Mr. Asherill unclosed his eyes and resumed an upright position.
"I cannot," he began, addressing the two men, who, for reasons best known to themselves, anxiously awaited his fiat, "do what you desire myself,—I wish I could; but there are reasons which render it impossible. Perhaps, however, my young partner, who is a perfect gentleman, may be able to help you."
He touched his bell as he spoke, and a solemn silence ensued till a clerk appeared in answer to the summons.