His shoe buckles showed vacant jewel holders, and his sword hilt was without a precious stone, all giving evidence that their owner had been dealing with pawnbrokers.

He was shabby from head to feet, though he bore himself with the convincing manner of a gentleman.
Pickering sent the barboy to wait on the newcomer, but the boy returned immediately and whispered:-- "Ye made a mistake in sending me, master.

Better send one of the maids or Mistress Betty.

The gentleman is more than he seems to be." "What did he say ?" asked Pickering.
"'Ee didn't say nothing," answered the boy.

"'Ee looked at me." At that moment Betty came in, and Pickering nodding toward the stranger, she went to serve him.