Pagina 449 di 657

"'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good

seven miles from Eyford Station.'

"'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there

would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop

the night.'

"'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.'

"'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient

hour?'

"'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to

recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a

young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the

very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would

like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do

so.'

"I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they

would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to

accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to

understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to

do.'