cate copy of mine, and in better condition altogether, had it not
been for my private mark, which I was focussing now through a
single-barrelled magnifier. I could talk to the man better in this
fashion; had I looked him straight in his brazen chaps, my virtuous
indignation would have betrayed me. And my policy was to dissemble, like
the man in a melodrama.

"You have had this a long time in the family, I suppose?" I said
quietly--very quietly--but tentatively.

"It's not new. Any fool can see that it is a Louis Seize clock, and of
considerable value."

"It's a valuable thing in its way, no doubt, but it would suit a West
End house better than my establishment."

"I know that, sir, as well as you do," was the testy reply, "but I
haven't got the time to run to the other side of the water, and I want
money in a hurry--in a great hurry, or I should not have come to you,"
he added bluntly.

"Are you living in this neighbourhood?"

"What business is that of yours?" he cried. "What--yes, I do live in the
neighbourhood--round the corner in Tan Yard Road--if you want to know.
No. 239 is my address, if it is likely to do you any good, and my name
is Youson. I see you have your doubts as to my rightful possession of
the article; pawnbrokers are all alike, have exactly the same tricks of
the trade. I know their ways, no one better, and I know what you are
going to say to me next."

"I really do not think that is possible."

"You'll tell me it is unsaleable--that not one in ten thousand would
think of buying such a thing--that at the price of the metal it will be
worth to you--well, what the devil is it worth? You have been staring at
it long enough to know now."

"I am sorry you are in such a tremendous hurry," I said, nettled a
little by his unceremonious deportment.

"I _am_ in a hurry. It is a question of life and death to me that I
should have that money quickly, don't you see? No--you don't see--how
can you see--how can you know anything about me, save that I want money?
You see that fast enough. Well, sir, you are welcome to your knowledge,"
he went on excitedly, "and I am not clever enough to disguise it, though
I know you'll take advantage of my extremity--a man of business, and in
your line of business, is sure to do that. But give me a fair price.
I--I--don't want the money for myself, I don't want a penny of
it--shan't take a penny of it, by God!"

This was an odd way of trying to get rid of stolen goods,