Mr.Van Boozenberg learned incidentally that Abel had never been in business before.

He observed the fresh odor of cigars in the counting-room--he remarked the extreme elegance of Abel's attire, and the inferential tailor's bills.
He learned that Mrs.Newt and the family were enjoying themselves at Saratoga.

He derived from the conversation and his observation that there were very large family expenses to be met by Boniface Newt.
Meanwhile that gentleman had continually no other idea of his visitor than that he was insufferable.

He had confessed to Abel that the old man was shrewd.

His shrewdness was a proverb.