A valuation would certainly give a higher figure than a forced sale, and then that valuation doubled! "Well," he said, "I don't know.

It's a cruel hard case to be done out of my money.

How am I to find out whether anything I tell you would be of use to you or not?
What kind of thing do you want?
How do I know that if you get what you want, you won't swear it is of no use to you ?" "You have the word of one who never broke his word." Mr.Chalker laughed derisively.
"Why," he said, "I wouldn't take the word of an English bishop--no, nor of an archbishop--where money is concerned.

What is it--what is the kind of thing you want to know ?" "It is concerned with a certain woman." "Oh, well, if it is only a woman! I thought it might be something about money.

Joe, you see, like a good many other people, has got his own ideas about money, and perhaps he isn't so strict in his dealings as he might be--few men are--and I should not like to let out one or two things that only him and me know." In fact, Mr.Chalker saw, in imagination, the burly form of Joe in his office, brandishing a stick, and accusing him of friendship's trust betrayed.
"But as it is only a woman--which of 'em is it ?" "This is a young woman, said to be handsome, tall, and finely-made; she has, I am told, light brown hair and large eyes.