“I want you to look into this case, sir,” he began, with a timidity that was as unexpected as it was gratifying—his nervousness gave me confidence.
“By all means,” I responded heartily, dipping a pen into the ink, and putting a fresh sheet of brief-paper over the page I had already used for the incidents of Borough English and a freehand sketch of a British Grenadier, “I shall be glad to hear all about it.”
“I must apologise for intruding upon you, knowing how busy you are, but I thought you would be interested in what I have to place before you.”
“Pray do not apologise,” I hastened to say; and then added, with a little laugh, “I certainly have taken you out of your turn, but then this is our first transaction. I hope it will not be the last.”
“I hope so, too,” replied my client, fervently. “If you will allow me, I will often place things like this before you. I should have come to you earlier only so many gentlemen object to seeing me.”
“Dear me!” I replied, a little surprised. “I suppose some men don’t care to jeopardise their professional reputation by failure. And now, with your permission, I will look into your case.”
“It is here, sir,” he answered, opening a rather large portfolio. “You will notice that these are very beautiful engravings.”
“Certainly,” I returned, making a note on the paper before me; “as you say, most beautiful. No doubt of very considerable value.”
“I am glad you like them, sir. They are forced to be got rid of at an enormous sacrifice.”
“Indeed!” I ejaculated, continuing my notes.