Notary, drawing out his silk handkerchief and flourishing it about his

face.

Your servant, sir,' said the stranger gentleman.

'Yours, sir, I'm sure,' replied Mr Abel mildly. 'You were wishing to

speak to Christopher, sir?'

Yes, I was. Have I your permission?'

By all means.'

My business is no secret; or I should rather say it need be no secret

here,' said the stranger, observing that Mr Abel and the Notary were

preparing to retire. 'It relates to a dealer in curiosities with whom he

lived, and in whom I am earnestly and warmly interested. I have been

a stranger to this country, gentlemen, for very many years, and if I am

deficient in form and ceremony, I hope you will forgive me.'

'No forgiveness is necessary, sir; - none whatever,' replied the Notary.

And so said Mr Abel.

'I have been making inquiries in the neighbourhood in which his old

master lived,' said the stranger, 'and I learn that he was served by this

lad. I have found out his mother's house, and have been directed by

her to this place as the nearest in which I should be likely to find him.

That's the cause of my presenting myself here this morning.'

I am very glad of any cause, sir,' said the Notary, 'which procures me

the honour of this visit.'

Sir,' retorted the stranger, 'you speak like a mere man of the world,

and I think you something better. Therefore, pray do not sink your

real character in paying unmeaning compliments to me.'

Hem!' coughed the Notary. 'You're a plain speaker, sir.'

And a plain dealer,' returned the stranger. 'It may be my long absence

and inexperience that lead me to the conclusion; but if plain speakers

are scarce in this part of the world, I fancy plain dealers are still

scarcer. If my speaking should offend you, sir, my dealing, I hope, will

make amends.'

Mr Witherden seemed a little disconcerted by the elderly gentleman's

mode of conducting the dialogue; and as for Kit, he looked at him in

open-mouthed astonishment: wondering what kind of language he

would address to him, if he talked in that free and easy way to a

The Old Curiosity Shop