There must be some mistake. Society
people might know something about it; that gentleman who called himself
a bishop for example, that sallow gentleman from Africa, who spent so
much of his time in social gaieties--he might very likely have received
a copy. If they wished, he would gladly make enquiries, discreet
enquiries, about the matter.
It was Mr. Eames' second lapse from grace. Gentlemen do not tell
falsehoods. He did not want to be a gentleman just then. He wanted that
pamphlet.
The reverend visitors withdrew convinced, amid showers of compliments
and apologies. After seeing them safely off the premises and even, for
greater security, half-way down the hill, Mr. Eames returned, drew out
the jewel from where it lay in a secret hiding-place among others of
its kind, and hugged it to his heart. He purposed to reproduce the
pamphlet IN EXTENSO, in that particular appendix to his edition of
Perrelli's ANTIQUITIES which dealt with "Contemporary Social History."
. . .
Mr. Heard knew nothing of all this as, jostled among the crowd, he
watched the procession on that bright morning.
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