the first instance apply by letter to Messrs. Gray and Graham. No charge
will be made for a first interview, which can only be granted after
satisfactory references have been exchanged by letter.'

'If _that_ does not inspire confidence,' said Merton, 'I don't know what
will.'

'Nothing short of it will do,' said Logan.

'But the mezzotints will carry weight,' said Trevor, 'and a few good
cloisonnes and enamelled snuff-boxes and bronzes will do no harm.'

So he sent in some weedings of his famous collection.




III. ADVENTURE OF THE FIRST CLIENTS


Merton was reading the newspaper in the office, expecting a client. Miss
Blossom was typewriting in the inner chamber; the door between was open.
The office boy knocked at Merton's outer door, and the sound of that
boy's strangled chuckling was distinctly audible to his employer. There
is something irritating in the foolish merriment of a youthful menial. No
conduct could be more likely than that of the office boy to irritate the
first client, arriving on business of which it were hard to exaggerate
the delicate and anxious nature.

These reflections flitted through Merton's mind as he exclaimed 'Come