THE RET1CENCE OF CAPTAIN LANDER.
177
eightpence. You’ve found me pretty trying. So I’ll make it a pound if you don’t mind.”
He laid a sovereign on the table. Without another word he left the room. I did not try to stop him. To my thinking the whole interview had verged perilously near to the ridiculous. I took the coin and locked it in a drawer, proposing, with Gardiner’s assistance, to hunt up Mr. Lander again. His money should be restored to him, if not in one form, then in another.
I would dine the man, and make him tell his funny tale.
