Burton, however, had at that moment been button-holed by a fidgety old gentleman who desired to ask him a few questions.
"I am a little puzzled, sir," the old gentleman said, confidentially, "about the absolute authenticity of this chippendale suite--lot number 101 in the catalogue.

This sale is--er--um--advertised as being--" the old gentleman turned over the pages of the catalogue quickly--"a sale of the effects of the late Doctor Transome.

That's so, eh ?" "I believe the announcement is to that effect," Burton confessed, hesitatingly.
"Quite so," the little old gentleman continued.

"Now I knew Dr.
Transome intimately, and he was, without the slightest doubt, a rare judge of old furniture.

I wouldn't mind following him anywhere, or accepting his judgment about anything.