"'Who do?' he demanded.
"'Everybody that I ask. They all say, "What should I know about fences?" It's very inconvenient for me.'
"'Why is it inconvenient to you?' he asked less savagely and with evidently awakening curiosity.
"I gave an embarrassed cough. 'Well, you see,' I said, 'it's this way. Supposing I have some property—valuable property, but of a kind that is of no use to me. Naturally I want to sell it. But I don't want it talked about. I am a poor man. If I am known to be selling things of value, people may make uncharitable remarks and busy-bodies may ask inconvenient questions. You see my position?' Piragoff looked at me fixedly, eagerly. A new light was in his eye now.
"'What have you got?' he demanded.
"I coughed again. 'Aha!' I said with a smile. 'It is you who are asking questions now.'
"'But you ask me to advise you. How can I if I don't know what you have got to sell? Perhaps I might buy the stuff myself. Hein?'
"'I think not,' said I, 'unless you can write a check for four figures. But perhaps you can?'
"'Yes, perhaps I can, or perhaps I can get the money. Tell me what the stuff is.'
"I clipped away at the top of my speed—and I could cut hair very quickly if I tried. No fear of his slipping away now. I had him fast.