om, where two
clerks were writing at a desk.

"Can I see Mr. Kedge?"

"Not in," said one of the clerks, without looking up.

"Mr. Reck, then?"

"Not in."

"When will either of them be in?" continued the barrister; thinking that
if he were Messrs. Kedge and Reck the clerk would get his discharge for
incivility.

"Can't say. What's your business?"

"My business is with them: not with you."

"You can see the managing clerk."

"I wish to see one of the partners."

"Could you give your name?" continued the gentleman, equably.

Mr. Carr handed in his card. The clerk glanced at it, and surreptitiously
showed it to his companion; and both of them looked up at him. Mr. Carr
of the Temple was known by reputation, and they condescended to become
civil.

"Take a seat for a moment, sir," said the one. "I'll inquire how long Mr.
Kedge will be; but Mr. Reek's not in town to-day."

A few minutes, and Thomas Carr found himself in a small square room with
the head of the firm, a youngish man and somewhat of a dandy, especially
genial in manner, as though in contrast to his clerk. He welcomed the
rising barrister.

"There's as much difficulty in getting to see you as if you were Pope of
Rome," cried Mr. Carr, good humouredly.

The lawyer laughed. "Hopkins did not know you: and strangers are
generally introduced to Mr. Reck, or to our managing clerk. What can
I do for you, Mr. Carr?"

"I don't know that you can do anything for me," said Mr. Carr, seating
himself; "but I hope you can. At the present moment I am engaged in
sifting a piece of complicated business for a friend; a private matter
entirely, which it is necessary to keep private. I am greatly interested
in it myself, as you may readily believe, when it is keeping me from
circuit. Indeed it may almost be called my own affair," he added,
observing the eyes of the lawyer fixed upon him, and not caring they
should see into his business too clearly. "I fancy you have a clerk, or
had a clerk, who is cognizant of one or two points in regard to it: can
you put me in the way of finding out where he is? His name is Gordon."

"Gordon! We have no clerk of that name. Never had one, that I remember.
How came you to fancy it?"

"I heard it from my own clerk, Taylor. One day last week I happened to
say before him that I'd give a five-pound note out of my pocket to get
at the present whereabouts of this man Gordon. Taylor is a shrewd
fellow; full of useful bits of informat