If St.George's pride, or his love for his favorite chattels--things personal to himself--should overcome him, the whole scheme would fall to the ground.

That any gentleman of his standing had ever seen the inside of a pawn-shop in his life was unthinkable.

This was what Gadgem faced.

As for Todd, he had not drawn a full breath since Gadgem opened his case.
"Not EXactly buy it, sir," purred Gadgem, twisting his body into an obsequious spiral.

"Men of your position do not traffic in such things--but if you would be persuaded, sir, for a money consideration which you would fix yourself--say the ORIGinal cost of the gun--to spare one of your five--you would greatly delight--in fact, you would overWHELM with gratitude--a friend of mine." St.George hesitated, looked out of the window and a brand-new thought forced its way into his mind--as if a closet had been suddenly opened, revealing a skeleton he had either forgotten or had put permanently out of sight.