“You got my letter,” said Mr. Sloman, with a significant look.
Mr. Brown nodded assent.
“We’re all alone?” inquired Mr. Sloman.
“Not a soul in the house, but Frank and the old housekeeper,” was the reply.
“Well,” rejoined the visitor, “let us go slap to business. We have done a little in our time, Mr. Brown, and I flatter myself to mutual satisfaction.”
Mr. Brown smiled affirmatively.
“Every transaction between us,” continued Mr. Sloman, “safe, honourable, and agreeable.”
“The last stolen bills were devilish awkward to manage,” observed Mr. Brown, “and things became so ticklish, that they were returned to the parties for three hundred. Not a rap more—no—upon my honour!”
“Nothing in the bill line,” observed Mr. Sloman, “at present.”
“Glad of it,” returned Mr. Brown. “Is it a crack?—plate, jewels, or—”