“And now I come to the queer part of the business. I was in diggings out Hampstead way, 17 Potter’s Terrace. Well, I was sitting doing a smoke that very evening after I had been promised the appointment, when up came my landlady with a card which had ‘Arthur Pinner, Financial Agent,’ printed upon it. I had never heard the name before and could not imagine what he wanted with me; but, of course, I asked her to show him up. In he walked, a middle-sized, dark-haired, dark-eyed, black-bearded man, with a touch of the Sheeny about his nose. He had a brisk kind of way with him and spoke sharply, like a man who knew the value of time.”

“ ‘ Mr. Hall Pycroft, I believe?’ ” said he.

“ ‘Yes, sir,’ I answered, pushing a chair towards him.

“ ‘Lately engaged at Coxon & Woodhouse’s?’

“ ‘Yes, sir.’

“ ‘And now on the staff of Mawson’s.’