"Will you kindly take a seat ?" Duncombe did as he was asked.

All the time he felt that the manager was scrutinizing him curiously.
"Your clerk," he said, "told me that you wished to speak to me." "Exactly!" the manager answered.

"You inquired when you came in for Miss Poynton.

May I ask--are you a friend of hers ?" "I am here on behalf of her friends," Duncombe answered.

"I have letters to her." The manager bowed gravely.
"I trust," he said, "that you will soon have an opportunity to deliver them.