“Look here, Riah,” said Fledgeby, mollified by these self-approving considerations. “I want to go a little more into buying-up queer bills. Look out in that direction.”

“Sir, it shall be done.”

“Casting my eye over the accounts, I find that branch of business pays pretty fairly, and I am game for extending it. I like to know people’s affairs likewise. So look out.”

“Sir, I will, promptly.”

“Put it about in the right quarters, that you’ll buy queer bills by the lump⁠—by the pound weight if that’s all⁠—supposing you see your way to a fair chance on looking over the parcel. And there’s one thing more. Come to me with the books for periodical inspection as usual, at eight on Monday morning.”

Riah drew some folding tablets from his breast and noted it down.