The matter, as you may suppose, is a most serious one for us, and every day's delay is adding to it.

May I ask what your terms would be, and when would you be prepared to start ?" "Your offer is a most liberal one," I said.

"Unfortunately, however, I fear there is a considerable difficulty in the way of my accepting it." "A difficulty!" he exclaimed, raising his eyebrows as if in astonishment.

"But surely that obstacle can be removed.

Especially for an offer of such magnitude as we are prepared to make you." "Excuse me," I said, somewhat tartly, "but however great the inducement may be, I never break faith with my clients.