“My dear friend Blunt,” he exclaimed, with charming cordiality, “I am delighted to see you looking so well.”
“I should have called upon you instead of sending for you to my office, but I have really been so harassed7 by business that I could not get a single spare moment.”
“And you presumed that I was not overburdened in that way, eh?”
“My dear Blunt,” said Sharp, with wounded feeling, “how can you imagine such a thing?”
“I only judged from what you said. You hadn’t time to call upon me, but judged that I had plenty of time to spend in calling upon you.”
“My dear Blunt,” said Sharp, impressively, “if the extent of a man’s business were always commensurate with his merits——”
149“We should neither of us stand a very good chance.”
“That was not exactly what I intended to say,” said Sharp, blowing his nose, “your modesty8, my dear Blunt——”
“Modesty! I am sure you’re joking now, Sharp, and although my time is not particularly valuable, I don’t care to stand here discussing personal qualities; so if you had any object in sending for me, out with it.”
“You are somewhat abrupt9 in your speech, my dear friend; an evidence of your sincerity10, for which no one has a greater respect than myself.”
“I have heard,” muttered Blunt, “that people are apt to set a high value on qualities which they lack.”
“However,” pursued Sharp, evading11 a reply to his last remark, “I have a little professional business to offer you, if your engagement will permit.”
“No fear on that score,” said Blunt, dryly; “but this business—why don’t you do it yourself? You needn’t tell me it’s on account of a pressure of the other engagements, for I know better.”
“That is not the reason, as with your usual penetration12 you have discovered, my dear Blunt. Do not for a moment think I would attempt to deceive you. With others it might do; but with you I know there would be no chance of succeeding.”
Mr. Sharp nodded with pleasant affability to his visitor, and resumed: “The fact is, it is a matter in which I do not wish to appear. One of my clients (Mr. Sharp brought out these words with an emphasis calculated to convey the idea that it was one of a very large number), for a reason which I need not mention, employed me some weeks since to lend a sum of money to a certain individual. This was only to establish a power over him which, some time, it might be convenient to use. That time has come; it is his desire that the note should be presented with a demand 150for immediate13 payment; in default of which a particular article in possession of the borrower should be seized in execution. This, as you may readily imagine, would have a tendency to harrow up my feelings, and——”
“Therefore you intrust the business to me, who have no feelings to be harrowed up.”
“My dear Blunt, I desire you to undertake this, because of your superior strength of mind. I am well aware of my own deficiency in that respect.”
“Well, well, have it as you will. I won’t trouble you to assign reasons for throwing business into my hands. I sha’n’t let any scruples14 stand between me and my own interest. Where’s the note!”
“One thing more,” said Sharp, slowly unclasping the wallet which contained the note. “This man—Robert Ford15—thinks I lent him the money on my own responsibility, and naturally regards me as a firm friend. I called on him yesterday, and hinted that I had been forced to raise money to meet a pressing engagement, and had given up this note as collateral16, on condition that it should not be presented. Very probably he may mention this. I don’t wish him to suspect that there is any understanding between us, as it will destroy what little influence I may have over him. You will be kind enough, therefore, to say nothing to undeceive him on that point, and if you could make it convenient to abuse me a little, just to show that there is no collusion between us, I should regard it as a particular favor.”
“Abuse you! I will do it with the greatest pleasure in the world.”
“I knew it, my dear Blunt; it was what I expected of your friendship. But I must give you his direction. Have you all necessary instructions?”
“You have not told me what I am to seize on execution?”
“Very true, an important omission17. You must know that 151this Ford, an estimable man, by the way, has taken a fancy to invent a flying machine, and to that end has collected an odd jumble18 of machinery19. This is what I wish you to seize. Here is the address.”
“And where am I to bring it?”
“You may as well bring it here.”
“How unfortunate that you cannot complete the invention,” said Blunt, dryly. “If it is just as convenient I shouldn’t mind receiving the pay in advance; not,” he continued, with a pointed20 imitation of his companion’s manner,—“not that I doubt in the least your high-souled integrity, my dear Sharp, but simply because, just at present, singularly enough, I happen to be out of cash.”
“I shall be most happy to discharge your claim forthwith,” said Sharp, rather ostentatiously displaying a roll of bills, and placing a five in the hands of his agent.
Blunt examined the bill with some minuteness, a sudden suspicion having entered his mind as to its genuineness. Satisfied on this point, he slipped it into his vest pocket, saying, “All right, you shall hear from me in the course of the day.”
An hour afterwards a loud authoritative21 knock aroused Robert Ford, who, it is needless to say, was employed after his usual fashion.
“Come in!”
The invitation was quickly accepted by a shock-headed man, stout22 and burly, who without ceremony drew out a note, and said, abruptly23, “You are Robert Ford, I presume?”
“That is my name, sir,” said the inventor, in some surprise.
“Very well. Here is a note with your signature, payable24 on demand. I presume it will be perfectly25 convenient for you to pay it now.”
Mr. Ford took the note with an absent air, and said, 152glancing at the man before him, “Excuse me, but I do not recollect26 having seen you before.”
“Very probably,” said Blunt, with sang froid. “We never had the pleasure of meeting before.”
“Then,” said the inventor, “how comes it that you have a demand against me?”
“If you will take the trouble to examine the note, you will find that it comes through a third person, Richard Sharp. You probably remember him.”
“Yes, I know him.”
Mr. Ford glanced at the paper in his hand.
“I think there must be some mistake,” he said. “The sum should be two hundred dollars, not three.”
“There is no mistake,” said Blunt, positively27. “It is just as he gave it to me.”
“Mr. Sharp mentioned yesterday,” said Mr. Ford, with a sudden effort at recollection, “that he had parted with this note to some one, but on condition that it should not be presented. You had better see him about it.”
“I have nothing further to do with him,” replied Blunt, “I believe he did mention something of the kind; but of course he cannot expect me to keep this note when I want the money.”
“Then, sir,” said Mr. Ford, “if, as you admit, Mr. Sharp made this condition, it is incumbent28 on you, as a man of honor, to keep it. I am sure it is very far from Mr. Sharp’s intention to trouble me for the payment of a sum which he loaned without the expectation of immediate repayment29. I should wrong his disinterested30 generosity31 by harboring such a suspicion.”
“His disinterested generosity!” repeated Blunt, with a loud laugh.
“Sir,” said the inventor, with calm dignity, “I must request you to forbear insinuating32 by word or manner anything 153derogatory to a man who has proved himself my benefactor33, and, solely34 impelled35 by his interest in science, has offered me the aid of his purse, without even an application on my part.”
“Very well,” said Blunt, “although it’s rather amusing to me to hear Sharp spoken of as interested in science, I won’t quarrel with your opinion of him, especially as his character isn’t in question just now. The main point is, can you pay this note?”
“I cannot.”
“Then I shall be under the disagreeable necessity of calling two of my friends in waiting.”
Two Irishmen, who appeared to have been waiting outside, entered at Blunt’s call.
“Take that machinery,” said Blunt, in a tone of command, “and carry it down stairs.”
“Stay!” said Mr. Ford, in alarm; “what do you intend to do?”
“I am only acting36 in self-defence,” said Blunt, doggedly37. “You cannot pay your money. If I can’t get my pay in one way, I must in another; therefore, I take this machinery of yours in execution.”
The thought of this calamity38 nearly overcame Mr. Ford. He did not pause to consider whether the seizure39 was legal or illegal, but, in an agitated40 voice, urged, “Take everything else, but spare me this. It is to me of inestimable value,—greater than you can possibly imagine.”
“That’s the very reason I take it,” said Blunt. “All the rest of your trumpery41,” glancing contemptuously at the plain furniture, “wouldn’t be worth carrying away.”
“And where would you be?” sneered43 Blunt. “Don’t 154think to catch me with such chaff44; I’m too old a bird. I will take it while it is here.”
“But,” urged Mr. Ford, “it can be of little value to you. You cannot sell it for one quarter of the debt.”
“Perhaps not. But that isn’t what I take it for.”
“What then?”
“As a pledge for its final payment. I care nothing for the trumpery, while you, I know, do. When you come forward and pay the note, you shall have it back again.”
“Do you promise that?” asked the inventor, more cheerfully.
“I will agree to wait a reasonable time.”
Little ceremony was used in the removal of the complicated machinery. Within ten minutes, all that had so fully45 occupied the thoughts of Mr. Ford, and furnished the pleasure and the occupation of his quiet life, was swept away, and he was left alone. That the labor46 was to no purpose, and the hopes which he cherished vain, imported little. To him, at least, they were realities, and upon them he had built a dazzling superstructure, which now suddenly crumbled47 into pieces at his feet.
Lewis Rand’s triumph was thus far complete.
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1
practitioner
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| n.实践者，从事者；(医生或律师等)开业者 | |
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2
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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3
specious
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| adj.似是而非的；adv.似是而非地 | |
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4
suavity
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| n.温和；殷勤 | |
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5
consummate
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| adj.完美的；v.成婚；使完美 [反]baffle | |
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6
dubious
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| adj.怀疑的，无把握的；有问题的，靠不住的 | |
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7
harassed
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| adj. 疲倦的，厌烦的 动词harass的过去式和过去分词 | |
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8
modesty
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| n.谦逊，虚心，端庄，稳重，羞怯，朴素 | |
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9
abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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10
sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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11
evading
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| 逃避( evade的现在分词 )； 避开； 回避； 想不出 | |
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12
penetration
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| n.穿透，穿人，渗透 | |
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13
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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14
scruples
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| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
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15
Ford
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| n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过 | |
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16
collateral
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| adj.平行的；旁系的；n.担保品 | |
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17
omission
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| n.省略，删节；遗漏或省略的事物，冗长 | |
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18
jumble
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| vt.使混乱，混杂；n.混乱；杂乱的一堆 | |
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19
machinery
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| n.(总称)机械，机器；机构 | |
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20
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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21
authoritative
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| adj.有权威的，可相信的；命令式的；官方的 | |
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23
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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24
payable
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| adj.可付的，应付的，有利益的 | |
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25
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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26
recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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27
positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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28
incumbent
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| adj.成为责任的，有义务的；现任的，在职的 | |
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29
repayment
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| n.偿还，偿还款；报酬 | |
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30
disinterested
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| adj.不关心的，不感兴趣的 | |
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31
generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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32
insinuating
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| adj.曲意巴结的，暗示的v.暗示( insinuate的现在分词 )；巧妙或迂回地潜入；（使）缓慢进入；慢慢伸入 | |
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33
benefactor
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| n. 恩人，行善的人，捐助人 | |
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34
solely
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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35
impelled
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| v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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36
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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37
doggedly
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| adv.顽强地，固执地 | |
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38
calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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39
seizure
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| n.没收；占有；抵押 | |
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40
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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41
trumpery
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| n.无价值的杂物；adj.（物品）中看不中用的 | |
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42
implored
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| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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43
sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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44
chaff
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| v.取笑，嘲笑；n.谷壳 | |
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45
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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46
labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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47
crumbled
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| （把…）弄碎， （使）碎成细屑( crumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 衰落； 坍塌； 损坏 | |
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