over the middle size but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than thirty.

‘ “Mr Hatherley?” said he, with something of a German accent. “You have been recommended to me, Mr Hatherley, as being a man who is not only proficient in his profession, but is also discreet and capable of preserving a secret.”

‘I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an address. “May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?” I asked.

‘ “Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you just at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both an orphan and a bachelor, and are residing alone in London.”

‘ “That is quite correct,” I answered, “but you will excuse me if I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional qualifications. I understood that it was on a professional matter that you wished to speak to me?”

‘ “Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute secrecy is quite essential—absolute secrecy, you understand, and of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than from one who lives in the bosom of his family.”

‘ “If I promise to keep a secret,” said I, “you may absolutely depend upon my doing so.”

‘He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye.

‘ “You do promise, then?” said he at last.

‘ “Yes, I promise.”

‘ “Absolute and complete silence, before, during, and after? No reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?”

‘ “I have already given you my word.”

‘ “Very good.” He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was empty.

‘ “That’s all right,” said he, coming back. “I know that clerks are sometimes curious as to their masters’ affairs. Now we can talk in safety.” He drew up his chair very close to mine, and began to stare at me again with the same questioning, and thoughtful look.

‘A feeling of repulsion and of something akin to fear had begun to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from showing my impatience.

‘ “I beg that you will state your business, sir,” said I; “my time is of value.” Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the words came to my lips.

‘ “How would fifty guineas for a night’s work suit you?” he asked.

‘ “Most admirably.”