There are three locks at Preston Bagot, and at the first Mr.Mortimer took occasion to apologise for his performance, adding that practice made perfect.
"I wonder, now," said Sam delicately, "if you could practise leavin' off that fur collar?
A little unhandiness'll pass off, an' no account taken; but with a furred overcoat 'tis different, an' I ought to a-mentioned it before.

We don't want the children tracked, do we?
An' unfort'nitly you're not one to pass in a crowd." "You pay me a compliment," Mr.Mortimer answered.

"Speaking, however, as man to man, let me say that I would gladly waive whatever show my overcoat may contribute to the--er--total effect to which you refer.
But"-- here he unbuttoned the front of his garment--"I leave it to you to judge if, without it, I shall attract less attention.

_Laudatur_, my dear Smiles, _et alget.

Paupertas, dura paupertas_--I might, perhaps, satisfy the curious gazer by producing the--er--pawntickets for the missing articles.