Lauriston?" he enquired, almost
wheedlingly. "I'll give you three quid for it--cash down."
"Thank you--but I wouldn't sell it for worlds," replied Lauriston.
"Say four quid, then," urged Melky. "Here!--between friends, I'll give you
four-ten! Spot cash, mind you!"
"No!" said Lauriston. "It belonged to my father. I don't want to sell--I
want to borrow."
Melky pushed the watch back into its owner's hand.
"You go round into Praed Street, mister," he said, in business-like
fashion. "You'll see a shop there with Daniel Multenius over it. He's a
relation o' mine--he'll do what you want. Mention my name, if you like.
He'll deal fair with you. And if you ever want to sell, don't forget me."
Lauriston laughed, and went down the stairs, and out into the dismal
evening. It was only a step round to Praed Street, and within five minutes
of leaving Melky he was looking into Daniel Multenius's window. He
remembered now that he had often looked into it, without noticing the odd
name above it. It was a window in which there were all sorts of curious
things, behind a grille of iron bars, from diamonds and pearls to old
ivory and odds and ends of bric-a-brac.
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