The Secret of the Tower by Anthony Hope
page 28 of 195 (14%)
page 28 of 195 (14%)
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Having sat the old man in the big chair by the fire, Beaumaroy sauntered across to the door of the Tower, locked it, and put the key in his pocket. Then he returned to the fire and, standing in front of it, gave a lively and detailed account of his visit to Old Place. "They appear to be pleasant people, very pleasant. I should like to know them, if it was not desirable for me to live an entirely secluded life." Mr. Saffron's speech was very distinct and clean cut, rather rapid, high in tone but not disagreeable. "You make pure fun of this Miss Wall, as you do of so many things, Hector, but--" he smiled up at Beaumaroy--"inquisitiveness is not our favorite sin just now!" "She's so indiscriminately inquisitive that it's a thousand to one against her really finding out anything of importance, sir." Beaumaroy sometimes addressed his employer as "Mr. Saffron," but much more commonly he used the respectful "sir." "I think I'm equal to putting Miss Delia Wall off." "Still she noticed our weekly journeys!" "Half Inkston goes to town every day, sir, and the rest three times, twice, or once a week. I called her particular attention to the bag, and told her it was for books from Mudie's!" "Positive statements like that are a mistake." Mr. Saffron spoke with a sudden sharpness, in pointed rebuke. "If I form a right idea of that woman, she's quite capable of going to Mudie's to ask about us." "By Jove, you're right, sir, and I was wrong. We'd better go and take out |
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