"You've come at last, then," said the man.
Joe regarded him with surprise, then spoke.
"I want to see Mr. John Barron, please."
The other laughed, as if this was an admirable jest.
"I suppose you do, though that's a queer way to put it. You talk as though
you had come to smoke a cigar along with him."
In growing amazement and suspicion, Noy listened to this most curious
statement. Fears suddenly awoke that, by some mysterious circumstance,
Barron had learned of his contemplated action and was prepared for it. He
stopped, therefore, looked about him sharply to avoid any sudden surprise,
and put a question to the footman.
"You spoke as though I was wanted," he said. "What do you mean by that?"
"Blessed if you're not a rum 'un!" answered the man. "Of course you was
wanted, else you wouldn't be here, would you? You're not a party as calls
promiscuous, I should hope. Else it would be rather trying to delicate
nerves. You're the gentleman as everybody requires some time, though nobody
ever sends for himself."
Failing to gather the other's meaning, Noy only realized that John Barron
expected some visitor and felt, therefore, the more determined to hasten
his own actions. He saw the footman was endeavoring to be jocose, and
therefore humored him, pretending at the same time to be the individual who
was expected.
"You're a funny fellow and must often make your master laugh, I should
reckon, Iss, I be the chap what you thought I was.
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