bright, his step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but
neatly dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than
thirty.
Mr. Hatherley? said he, with something of a German accent. You have
been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man who is not only
proficient in his profession but is also discreet and capable of
preserving a secret.
I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an
address. May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?
Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just at
this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both an orphan
and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.
That is quite correct, I answered; but you will excuse me if I say
that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional
qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter that
you wished to speak to me?
Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to the
point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute secrecy
is quite essential absolute secrecy, you understand, and of course we
may expect that more from a man who is alone than from one who lives in
the bosom of his family.
If I promise to keep a secret, said I, you may absolutely depend
upon my doing so.
He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I had
never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye.
Do you promise, then? said he at last.
Yes, I promise.
Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No reference
to the matter at all, either in word or writing?
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