His hearer shrugged and smiled vacuously, then turned away, whereupon
Mitchell took him firmly by the arm.
"Look here, my boy," he began. "There seems to be a lot of information coming to both of us. Who are these over-dressed gentlemen I see promenading back and forth?"
"Why—they're callers, customers, representatives of the firms we do business with, sir."
"Is this Guy Fawkes Day?"
"No, sir."
"Are these men here on business? Are any of them salesmen, for instance?"
"Yes, sir; some of them. Certainly, sir."
"To see Mr. Peebleby about the new construction work?"
"No doubt."
"So, you're letting them get the edge on me."