mansion --was sold, he considered my business as concluded. When I
asked who had purchased it, he opened his eyes a thought wider, and
paused a few seconds before replying:--
It is sold, sir.
Pardon me, I said, with equal politeness, but I have a special reason
for wishing to know who purchased it.
Again he paused longer, and raised his eyebrows still more. It is sold,
sir, was again his laconic reply.
Surely, I said, you do not mind letting me know so much.
But I do mind, he answered. The affairs of their clients are
absolutely safe in the hands of Mitchell, Sons, & Candy. This was
manifestly a prig of the first water, and there was no use arguing with
him. I thought I had best meet him on his own ground, so I said:--
Your clients, sir, are happy in having so resolute a guardian of their
confidence. I am myself a professional man. Here I handed him my card.
In this instance I am not prompted by curiosity; I act on the part of
Lord Godalming, who wishes to know something of the property which was,
he understood, lately for sale. These words put a different complexion
on affairs. He said:--
I would like to oblige you if I could, Mr. Harker, and especially would
I like to oblige his lordship. We once carried out a small matter of
renting some chambers for him when he was the Honourable Arthur
Holmwood. If you will let me have his lordship s address I will consult
the House on the subject, and will, in any case, communicate with his
lordship by to-night s post. It will be a pleasure if we can so far
deviate from our rules as to give the required information to his
lordship.
I wanted to secure a friend, and not to make an enemy, so I thanked him,
gave the address at Dr. Seward s and came away. It was now dark, and I
was tired and hungry. I got a cup of tea at the Aerated Bread Company
and came down to Purfleet by the next train.
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