Robert Mainwaring that Mr. Demander Sharpe, of Californy, wishes to
see him--on business--on BUSINESS, do ye' hear? You hang onter that
sentence--on BUSINESS! it's about ez much ez you kin carry, I reckon,
and leave that grip sack alone."

From behind the curtain Bradley made a sudden movement to go forward;
but Lady Canterbridge--now quite pale but collected--restrained him with
a warning movement of her hand. Sir Robert's stick and halting step were
next heard along the passage, and he entered the room. His simple and
courteous greeting of the stranger was instantly followed by a renewed
attack upon the "grip sack," and a renewed defence of it by the
stranger.

"No, Sir Robert," said the voice argumentatively, "this yer's a BUSINESS
interview, and until it's over--if YOU please--we'll remain ez we air.
I'm Demander Sharpe, of Californy, and I and my darter, Minty, oncet had
the pleasure of knowing your boy over thar, and of meeting him agin the
other day at Nice."

"I think," said Sir Robert's voice gently, "that these are not the only
claims you have upon me. I have only a day or two ago heard from
Mr. Bradley that I owe to your generous hands and your disinterested
liberality the saving of my California fortune."

There was the momentary sound of a pushed-back chair, a stamping of
feet, and then Mr. Sharpe's voice rose high with the blacksmith's old
querulous aggrieved utterance.

"So it's that finikin', conceited Bradley agin--that's giv' me away!
Ef that man's all-fired belief in his being the Angel Gabriel and Dan'l