'But please be under no sense of hurry.

I can give you,' he added, thoughtfully consulting his watch--'yes, I can give you the whole afternoon.' 'The business that brings me here,' resumed the Australian with gusto, 'is devilish delicate, I can tell you.

My friend Mr Thomas, being an American of Portuguese extraction, unacquainted with our habits, and a wealthy manufacturer of Broadwood pianos--' 'Broadwood pianos ?' cried Gideon, with some surprise.

'Dear me, do I understand Mr Thomas to be a member of the firm ?' 'O, pirated Broadwoods,' returned Michael.

'My friend's the American Broadwood.' 'But I understood you to say,' objected Gideon, 'I certainly have it so in my notes--that your friend was a manufacturer of india--rubber overshoes.' 'I know it's confusing at first,' said the Australian, with a beaming smile.