He did not believe a word about finding the money downstairs.

He was accustomed to being put off that way and had already formulated his next tactical move.

In fact he was about to name it with some positiveness, recounting the sort of papers which would follow and the celerity of their serving, when he suddenly became aware that St.
George's eyes were fixed upon him and instantly stopped breathing.
"I said good-morning, Mr.Gadgem," repeated St.George sententiously.
There was no mistaking his meaning.
"I heard you, sir," hesitated the collector--"_I_ heard you diSTINCTly, but in cases of this kind there is--" St.George swung back the door and stood waiting.

No man living or dead had ever doubted the word of St.George Wilmot Temple, not even by a tone of the voice, and Gadgem's was certainly suggestive of a well-defined and most offensive doubt.

Todd moved up closer; Dandy rose to his feet, thinking he might be of use.