Blind Policy Part 28

You’re reading novel Blind Policy Part 28 online at LightNovelFree.com. Please use the follow button to get notification about the latest chapter next time when you visit LightNovelFree.com. Use F11 button to read novel in full-screen(PC only). Drop by anytime you want to read free – fast – latest novel. It’s great if you could leave a comment, share your opinion about the new chapters, new novel with others on the internet. We’ll do our best to bring you the finest, latest novel everyday. Enjoy!

"No, and you were precious uppish and hold-offish the other day," said Roach, shortly.

"Obliged to be careful, Mr Smith, in my profession," said the p.a.w.nbroker, with a peculiar smile. "There's a law against receiving stolen goods, and one don't want to get into trouble."

"Well, you needn't begin to suspect everybody who wants money, if there is. Do you suppose gentry don't run short of money sometimes?"

"Oh no. I know they do, Mr Smith. I could show you some jewellery that would open your eyes."

"And I dessay I could show you something that would open yours. May have to bring it to you some day. Who knows?"

"Glad to do business on the square any time, Mr Smith," said the p.a.w.nbroker.

"Of course you are; so's lots more. People thinks there's no card-playing going on now, and gents and ladies running short."

"We don't think so, Mr Smith."

"No, I suppose not," said Roach. "I did make up my mind I wouldn't come here again after what pa.s.sed."

"Only business caution, Mr Smith."

"Oh, well, if that's all, perhaps I may. This was a commission; hundred pound wanted on the nail, and security worth five offered. Money's come in again, and my people want the security. Here's the cash and interest, and the sooner I'm off the better."

"Soon done, Mr Smith," said the p.a.w.nbroker, "and I shall be happy to do business with you again any time." The man made some memoranda on the card, and went into a back room to a safe, from which he brought a carefully-done-up packet.

"Rather I hadn't fetched it, eh?" said Roach, after having the packet opened and satisfied himself that the gold contents were intact.

"Don't you make that mistake, Mr Smith," said the p.a.w.nbroker. "We don't want unredeemed pledges to sell, but to have them taken out and receive our interest. That's the way money is made, sir."

"I dessay," said the butler, paying over the sum needed in notes and gold, and then packing the security in the Gladstone bag; "but it's a free country, and people have a right to believe what they like."

"Of course, my dear sir, of course."

"Now look here," whispered Roach; "if there happens to be an emergency, mister, and I'm disposed to come here again with something for an advance, is it to be prompt business, or a lot of humbugging questions?"

"Prompt business, Mr Smith, with approved customers, and to any amount."

"That will do then. I'll come. Private and confidential, eh?"

"Private and confidential, sir. Good-evening.--Jobson, shut up."

"Yes, and I shut him up," muttered Roach, as he went out with his Gladstone bag feeling weighty, and sought his cab, but not without looking back once or twice and choosing another way for his return.

But he saw nothing to excite his suspicions of being followed, for it was not likely that the homely-looking woman with a thickish umbrella had come from the p.a.w.nbroker's. But somehow she had.

An hour later, Roach's carefully-done-up parcel was denuded of its wrappings, and its golden glories were hidden in the iron plate-closet at the back of his pantry. And then he came upon Arthur, not long returned from setting down their people at Grosvenor Place.

"Hullo! Didn't know you'd come back. Got it?" said the footman.

The butler nodded.

"Shut the door," he said; and as soon as they were alone in the pantry, Roach unlocked the iron closet which contained the plate under his charge, and pointed to a handsome centre-piece standing on the shelf.

Then it was that the younger man so far forgot the respect due to his elder as to slap him on the back, an act not in the least resented, but responded to by a playful dig in the ribs.

"But I say, my boy," whispered the butler, "it won't do, you know. I've funked horribly for fear that they should ask for it."

"Likely!" said the footman, scornfully. "It's never been used but once."

"More likely to be asked for to be put away with the rest in the vault.

Jemmy's safe to remember it some day."

The footman was thoughtful as the butler locked up the iron closet.

"We ought to put away something not likely to be asked for, eh?"

"Yes," said the butler, shaking his head sagely; "but what is there? We may have a dinner-party any day, and everything have to be shown."

"Must be lots of things in the vault."

"Course there is."

"I say, ain't it rum that they don't send the things to their bankers?"

"Not a bit, when they've got a strong closet of their own, Orthur, my boy. I heard 'em talking about it one day at dinner, and Jemmy said something about their old bank breaking, and a lot of the family plate and jewels being lost. The rogues had been hard up for long enough and sold it."

"Ah! there's a sight o' rogues in the world," said Arthur, quietly.

"We've got some capital now."

"Yes, but let's think of a rainy day. Now, look here, there must be no end of things in the vault as they're never like to ask for."

"No end," said the butler.

"Never been in it?"

"Never."

"Well, couldn't we have a look in, and pick out something small and handy?--say jools. They do lock them there when they go down to The Towers. I do know that."

"Yes, my lad, they do; and I believe there's a lot of old gold, family plate and diamonds as they never do want."

"That's the stuff for us--in case we want it, of course. Don't hurt them to borrow it, and it finds us the capital to do us good."

"Yes, but how are we to get at it?"

"Keys."

"Where are they kept?"

Blind Policy Part 28

You're reading novel Blind Policy Part 28 online at LightNovelFree.com. You can use the follow function to bookmark your favorite novel ( Only for registered users ). If you find any errors ( broken links, can't load photos, etc.. ), Please let us know so we can fix it as soon as possible. And when you start a conversation or debate about a certain topic with other people, please do not offend them just because you don't like their opinions.


Blind Policy Part 28 summary

You're reading Blind Policy Part 28. This novel has been translated by Updating. Author: George Manville Fenn already has 645 views.

It's great if you read and follow any novel on our website. We promise you that we'll bring you the latest, hottest novel everyday and FREE.

LightNovelFree.com is a most smartest website for reading novel online, it can automatic resize images to fit your pc screen, even on your mobile. Experience now by using your smartphone and access to LightNovelFree.com

RECENTLY UPDATED NOVEL