Part 84 (1/2)
THE STRANGER
A feeeks after Langhetti's visit Potts had a new visitor at the bank
The stranger entered the bank parlor noiselessly, and stood quietly waiting for Potts to be disengaged That worthy washis head, he saw the newcoer said, in a peculiar voice, so,
”Mr Potts?”
”Yes,” said Potts, looking hard at his visitor
He was a , parted in the ht He wore dark colored spectacles A thick, black beard ran under his chin His linen was not over-clean, and he wore a long surtout coat
”I belong to the firinson, & Co, Solicitors, London--I am the Co”
”Well!”
”The business about which I have come is one of some importance Are we secure from interruption?”
”Yes,” said Potts, ”asin particular that I care about locking the doors for”
”Well, you know best,” said the stranger ”The business upon which I have come concerns you somewhat, but your son principally”
Potts started, and looked with eager inquiry at the stranger
”It is such a serious case,” said the latter, ”thatany steps in the matter, it would be best to consult you privately”
”Well,” returned Potts, with a frohat is this wonderful case?”
”Forgery,” said the stranger
Potts started to his feet with a ghastly face, and stood speechless for so to?” said he, at last
”John Potts, of Brandon Hall, I presuer, coolly ”My business concerns him somewhat, but his son still rowled Potts, in a savage tone
”Forgery,” said the stranger ”It is an English word, I believe
Forgery, in which your son was chief agent Have I ain, and then sloent to the door, locked it, and put the key in his pocket
”That's right,” said the stranger, quietly
”You appear to take things easy,” rejoined Potts, angrily; ”but letshop”
”You appear soet to business; and in that case I shall have to leave”
”I don't see how that would be any affliction,” said Potts, with a sneer
”That's because you don't understand my position, or the state of the present business For if I leave it will be the signal for a number of interested parties to make a combined attack on you”