This man, whom I suspect to be a Cavalier in disguise, saith that he has been an apprentice to Master Nicholas Fleming, a velvet dealer of London.

I would fain see how far his knowledge of these goods extends.

Bring out five or six pieces of various qualities, and put them upon your table promiscuously, and not in order of value." The mercer did as requested.
"These goods," he said, "were obtained from Master Fleming himself.

I bought them last year, and have scarce sold a piece of such an article since." Harry felt rather nervous at the thought of being obliged to distinguish between the velvets, for although he had received some hints and instructions from the merchant, he knew that the appearance of one kind of velvet differed but slightly from that of the inferior qualities.

To his satisfaction, however, he saw at the end of the rolls the pieces of paper intact upon which Master Fleming's private marks were placed.
"I need not," he said, "look at the velvets, for I see my master's private marks upon them, and can of course tell you their value at once." So saying, from the private marks he read off the value of each roll of velvet per yard, and as these tallied exactly with the amount which the mercer had paid for them, no further doubts remained upon the mind of the officer.
"These marks," he said to the mercer, "are, I suppose, private, and could not be read save by one in the merchant's confidence ?" "That is so," the mercer replied.