The fact of the matter is, only yesterday I promised to undertake another piece of business which, while not being so remunerative, perhaps, as that you are now putting before me, means a very great deal to those who are, for the time being, my employers." "Would it be impertinent on my part to ask at what time yesterday afternoon you arrived at this momentous decision ?" "Shortly after four o'clock," I answered, but not without a little wonderment as to his reason for putting the question.

For my own part I did not see what it had to do with the matter in hand.
"Dear me, how very vexing, to be sure!" he observed.

"This is certainly another instance of the contrariness of Fate." "How so ?" I asked.
"Because it was my intention to have called upon you shortly after lunch yesterday on this matter," he answered.

"Unfortunately I was prevented at the last moment.

Had I been able to get here, I might have forestalled your more successful client.