I stepped outside. They kept me outside longer than I altogether relished.
I was on the point of, at all hazards, asserting my dignity, when the man with the hat on, opening the door of the inner office, invited me to enter. It was he, when I entered, who took up the conversation.
"We are not, you must understand, at liberty to furnish you with particulars of the matter referred to in our advertisement without first of all communicating with our client."
"Who is your client?"
"That, without having received permission, we cannot tell you either. Can you not guess?"
The fellow stared at me in a manner which I instinctively resented. His glance conveyed a meaning which seemed to be the reverse of flattering.
"I certainly cannot guess, nor have I the least intention of trying. I have the pleasure of wishing you good-day."
I turned to go; the fellow stopped me.
"One moment! Where are you off to?" I turned to him again. This time he was eyeing me with what I felt was an insolent grin. "For a man in the position in which you say you are you don't seem over anxious to hear of something to your advantage."
"Nor do you seem over anxious to tell it me."