Waddington replied firmly. "I can
assure you, Mr. Absolom, and all of you, ladies and gentlemen, that I
have simply told you what I believe to be the absolute truth. It is my
business to sell whatever is sent to me here for that purpose, but it is
not my business or intention to deceive you in any way, if I can help
it."
Mr. Absolom re-examined the oak chest with a puzzled expression. Then
he strolled away and joined a little knot of brokers who were busy
discussing matters. The various remarks which passed from one to
another indicated sufficiently their perplexed condition of mind.
"The old man's dotty!"
"Not he! There's a game on somewhere!"
"He wants to buy in some of the truck!"
"Old Waddy knows what he's doing!"
Mr. Absolom listened for a while and then returned to the rostrum.
"Mr. Waddington," he asked, "ith it the truth that there are one or two
pieces of real good stuff here, thent in by an old farmer in Kent?"
"Quite true," Mr. Waddington declared, eagerly. "Unfortunately, they
all came in together and were included with other articles which have
not the same antecedents. You may be able to pick out which they are.
I can't. Although I am supposed to be in the business, I never could
tell the difference myself.
Pages:
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92