'Pitman here will tell you
if it was genuine or not.'
'Eh? O! O yes, I believe it was a genuine Broadwood; I have played upon
it several times myself,' said Pitman. 'The three-letter E was broken.'
'Don't say anything more about pianos,' said Morris, with a strong
shudder; 'I'm not the man I used to be! This--this other man--let's come
to him, if I can only manage to follow. Who is he? Where can I get hold
of him?'
'Ah, that's the rub,' said Michael. 'He's been in possession of the
desired article, let me see--since Wednesday, about four o'clock, and is
now, I should imagine, on his way to the isles of Javan and Gadire.'
'Michael,' said Morris pleadingly, 'I am in a very weak state, and I beg
your consideration for a kinsman. Say it slowly again, and be sure you
are correct. When did he get it?'
Michael repeated his statement.
'Yes, that's the worst thing yet,' said Morris, drawing in his breath.
'What is?' asked the lawyer.
'Even the dates are sheer nonsense,' said the leather merchant.
'The bill was cashed on Tuesday. There's not a gleam of reason in the
whole transaction.
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