You see, Mr.Marchmont and his partner had gone into the matter and decided that there was nothing to be done.

Then I happened to mention the affair to Reuben Hornby, and he urged me to ask your advice on the case." "Like his impudence," growled Marchmont, "to meddle with my client." "On which," continued Blackmore, "I spoke to Mr.Marchmont and he agreed that it was worth while to take your opinion on the case, though he warned me to cherish no hopes, as the affair was not really within your specialty." "So you understand," said Marchmont, "that we expect nothing.

This is quite a forlorn hope.

We are taking your opinion as a mere formality, to be able to say that we have left nothing untried." "That is an encouraging start," Thorndyke remarked.

"It leaves me unembarrassed by the possibility of failure.