I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.
There is a drive, then?
Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good seven
miles from Eyford Station.
Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there would
be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop the night.
Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.
That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient hour?
We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to recompense
you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a young and
unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the very heads of
your profession. Still, of course, if you would like to draw out of the
business, there is plenty of time to do so.
I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they would be
to me. Not at all, said I, I shall be very happy to accommodate
myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to understand a little
more clearly what it is that you wish me to do.
Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which we have
exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I have no wish to
commit you to anything without your having it all laid before you. I
suppose that we are absolutely safe from eavesdroppers?
Entirely.
Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that
fuller s-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found in one
or two places in England?
I have heard so.
Some little time ago I bought a small place a very small place within
ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to discover that there was
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