"No! Why I must have left it
at the Golden House."
The President came to my assistance.
"I saw it on the table just before we started. Though I presume Mr.
Jones has no _right_--"
"None at all," I said briskly.
"Yet, as a matter of concession, Mr. Martin will no doubt show it to
him to-morrow?"
"Strictly as a matter of concession perhaps I will, though I am bound
to say that I am surprised at your manner, Mr. Jones."
Jones looked sadly puzzled.
"It's all irregular, sir," said he.
"Hardly more so than your costume!" said the President pleasantly.
Jones was a modest man, and being thus made aware of the havoc the
draught was playing with his airy covering, he hastily closed the
door, and said to me appealingly:
"It's all right, sir, I suppose?"
"Perfectly right," said I.
"But highly confidential," added the President. "And you will put me
under a personal obligation, Mr. Jones, and at the same time fulfill
your duty to your employers, if you preserve silence till the
transaction is officially announced. A man who serves me does not
regret it."
Here he was making the most of another opportunity--Jones this time.
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