“I really thought,” repeated Fledgeby slowly, “that you were lost, Mr. Riah. Why, now I look at you⁠—but no, you can’t have done it; no, you can’t have done it!”

Hat in hand, the old man lifted his head, and looked distressfully at Fledgeby as seeking to know what new moral burden he was to bear.

“You can’t have rushed out to get the start of everybody else, and put in that bill of sale at Lammle’s?” said Fledgeby. “Say you haven’t, Mr. Riah.”

“Sir, I have,” replied the old man in a low voice.

“Oh my eye!” cried Fledgeby. “Tut, tut, tut! Dear, dear, dear! Well! I knew you were a hard customer, Mr. Riah, but I never thought you were as hard as that.”