Whenever the stranger caught him looking at this clock, a kind of confusion came upon Tom as if he had been found out in something; and it was a perception of his uneasiness which caused the younger man to say, perhaps, with a smile: 'We both appear to be rather particular about the time.

The fact is, I have an engagement to meet a gentleman here.' 'So have I,' said Mr Pinch.
'At half-past six,' said the stranger.
'At half-past six,' said Tom in the very same breath; whereupon the other looked at him with some surprise.
'The young gentleman, I expect,' remarked Tom, timidly, 'was to inquire at that time for a person by the name of Pinch.' 'Dear me!' cried the other, jumping up.

'And I have been keeping the fire from you all this while! I had no idea you were Mr Pinch.

I am the Mr Martin for whom you were to inquire.

Pray excuse me.