Then why not make it?"
I threw the letter away in disgust. Just as it had fluttered to
the ground, there was a knock at my door, and Sir Percival's
solicitor, Mr. Merriman, was shown in. There are many varieties
of sharp practitioners in this world, but I think the hardest of
all to deal with are the men who overreach you under the disguise
of inveterate good-humour. A fat, well fed, smiling, friendly man
of business is of all parties to a bargain the most hopeless to
deal with. Mr. Merriman was one of this class.
"And how is good Mr. Gilmore?" he began, all in a glow with the
warmth of his own amiability. "Glad to see you, sir, in such
excellent health. I was passing your door, and I thought I would
look in in case you might have something to say to me. Do--now
pray do let us settle this little difference of ours by word of
mouth, if we can! Have you heard from your client yet?"
"Yes. Have you heard from yours?"
"My dear, good sir! I wish I had heard from him to any purpose--I
wish, with all my heart, the responsibility was off my shoulders;
but he is obstinate--or let me rather say, resolute--and he won't
take it off. 'Merriman, I leave details to you. Do what you
think right for my interests, and consider me as having personally
withdrawn from the business until it is all over.
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