FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   86   87   88   89   90   91   92   93   94   95   96   97   98   99   100   101   102   103   104   105   106   107   108   109   110  
111   112   113   114   115   116   117   118   119   120   121   122   123   124   125   126   127   128   129   130   131   132   133   134   135   >>   >|  
uised admiration, and hansom cabmen, catching the enthusiasm of pace, found themselves actually wishing they were gentlemen's servants, to have their beer found, and sit behind such steppers as those! The white foam stood on flank and shoulder when the pair were pulled up at Rose and Brilliant's door. Dick bustled in with so agitated an air that an experienced shopman instantly lifted the glass from a tray containing the usual assortment of wedding-rings. "I'm come about some diamonds," panted the customer, casting a wistful glance towards these implements of coercion the while. "A set of diamonds--very valuable--left here by a lady--a young lady--I want them back again." He looked about him helplessly; nevertheless, the shopman, himself a married man, became at once less commiserating, and more confidential. "Diamonds!" he repeated. "Let me see--yes, sir--quite so--I think I recollect. Perhaps you'll step in and speak to our principal. Mind your hat, if you please, sir--yes, sir--this way, sir." So saying, he ushered Mr. Stanmore through glass doors into a neat little room at the back, where sat a bald, smiling personage in sober attire, something between that of a provincial master of hounds and a low-church clergyman, whose cool composure, as it struck Dick at the time, afforded a ludicrous contrast to his own fuss and agitation. "_My_ name is Rose, sir," said the placid man. "Pray take a seat." Nobody can "take a seat" under feelings of strong excitement. Dick grasped the proffered chair by the back. "Mr. Rose," he began, "what I have to say to you goes no farther." "O dear, no!--certainly not--Mr. Stanmore, I believe? I hope I see you well, sir. This is my _private_ room, you understand, sir. Whatever affairs we transact here are _in_ private. How can I accommodate you, Mr. Stanmore?" Dick looked so eager, the placid man was persuaded he must want money. "There's a young lady," said Dick, plunging at his subject, "who left her diamonds here last week--quite a young lady--very handsome. Did she give you her name?" Mr. Rose smiled and shook his head benevolently. "If any jewels of value were left with _us_, you may be sure we satisfied ourselves of the party's name and address. Perhaps I can help you, Mr. Stanmore. Can you favour me with the date?" "Yes, I can," answered Dick, "and the name too. It's no use humbugging about it. Miss Bruce was the lady's name. There! Now she wants her jew
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   86   87   88   89   90   91   92   93   94   95   96   97   98   99   100   101   102   103   104   105   106   107   108   109   110  
111   112   113   114   115   116   117   118   119   120   121   122   123   124   125   126   127   128   129   130   131   132   133   134   135   >>   >|  



Top keywords:
Stanmore
 

diamonds

 

Perhaps

 

placid

 

looked

 
shopman
 
private
 

Nobody

 

answered

 
humbugging

favour

 

feelings

 
strong
 

excitement

 

grasped

 
address
 

clergyman

 
church
 

provincial

 
master

hounds

 

composure

 

contrast

 
proffered
 
ludicrous
 

afforded

 

struck

 
agitation
 
satisfied
 

smiled


transact

 
understand
 

Whatever

 

affairs

 
accommodate
 

handsome

 

subject

 

plunging

 

persuaded

 
farther

benevolently

 
jewels
 

agitated

 

experienced

 

instantly

 

lifted

 

bustled

 

pulled

 

Brilliant

 
panted