Cruden, Esquire--my eye! What's the use of putting any more than `London' on the envelope--such a well-known character as you?
Stuck-up idiot!" To this address Reginald attended sufficiently to discover that it was not worth listening to; after which he did not even hear the concluding passages of his neighbour's declamation, being absorbed in far more interesting inquiries.

He tore the envelope open and hurriedly read-- "Sir,--Your favour is to hand, and in reply we beg to say we shall be glad to arrange an interview.

One of our directors will be in town on Monday next, and can see you between one and two o'clock at Weaver's Hotel.

Be good enough to treat this and all further communications as strictly confidential .-- We are, Sir, yours faithfully,-- "The Select Agency Corporation.
"P.S .-- Ask at Weaver's Hotel for Mr Medlock.
"Liverpool." The welcome contents of this short note fairly staggered him.

If the tone of the advertisement had been encouraging, that of this letter was positively convincing.