"I passed by your window a short time ago, and saw
your card, stating that advances were made on choice
articles. Would this be of any use to you?" He
took the dressing-case from under his coat and handed
it to Kling. "I am not ready to sell it--not to sell it
outright; you might, perhaps, make me a small loan
which would answer my purpose. Its value is about
sixty pounds--some three hundred dollars of your
money. At least, it cost that. It is one of Vickery's,
of London, and it is almost new."

Kling glanced sharply at the intruder. "I don't
keep open often so late like dis. You must come in
de morning."

"Cannot you look at it now?"

Something in the stranger's manner appealed to the
dealer. He lowered his chin, adjusted his spectacles,
and peered over their round silver rims--a way with
him when he was making up his mind.

"Vell, I don't mind. Let me see," and opening the
case he took out the silver-topped bottles, placing them
in a row on the counter behind which he stood. "Yes,
dot's a good vun," he continued with a grunt of approval.
"Yes--dot's London, sure enough. Yes, I
see Vickery's name--whose initials is on dese bottles?
And de arms--de lion and de vings on him--dot
come from somebody high up, ain't it? Vhere did you