“All very fine, but I have a case of patterns which I need with me; and suppose it is lost?”
“Well, of course, you can’t recover damages beyond the actual value of the goods. No warehouseman is responsible beyond the actual value of the article lost or damaged, unless there was a special contract.[457] What was the value?”
“Thirty or forty pounds.”
“What!”
“Can’t you hear? I say thirty or forty pounds.”
“Well, I am very sorry for you. Did not you see the notice on the ticket that ‘the company will not be responsible for any package exceeding the value of £10.’”
“Oh, but I did not read that.”
“The legal inference, however, is that you did read it, and did assent to it; and so I am afraid that the company, in case of a loss, will not be liable as your goods exceed the prescribed limit.[458] For the same reason they may also be excused for delay in redelivering them, at least if such tardiness is not caused by any wilful act or default of their own, and is without their privity or knowledge.[459] Samples and patterns are not considered personal baggage.”[460]
“Many thanks for all your information. I think I can see my box through this crack, and here comes the man with the key; so I am all right.”
“Well, good-by! there’s my train, anyway, so I am off. Don’t forget you owe me a fee for this.”