Jarper was among
them, and he thought he would speak to him on the subject. Yes,
Barty was a clever little fellow, and seemed always able to get
money. Perhaps he would be able to assist him. He stepped out of the
balcony into the light and touched Barty on the shoulder as he stood
amid his friends.
'Hullo! it's you!' cried Barty, turning round. 'Where have you been,
old chap?'
'Out on the balcony,' answered Vandeloup, curtly.
'Come and have supper with us,' said Barty, hospitably. 'We are
going to have some at Leslie's.'
'Yes, do come,' urged Bellthorp, putting his arm in that of
Vandeloup's; 'we'll have no end of fun.'
Vandeloup was just going to accept, as he thought on the way he
could speak privately to Barty about this scheme he had, when he saw
a stout gentleman at the end of the room taking a cup of coffee at
the counter, and talking to another gentleman who was very tall and
thin. The figure of the stout gentleman seemed familiar to
Vandeloup, and at this moment he turned slowly round and looked down
the room. Gaston gave a start when he saw his face, and then smiled
in a gratified manner to himself.
'Who is that gentleman with the coffee?' he asked Barty.
'Those stout and lean kine,' said Barty, airily, 'puts one in mind
of Pharaoh's dream, doesn't it?'
'Yes, yes!' retorted Gaston, impatiently; 'but who are they?'
'The long one is Fell, the railway contractor,' said Barty, glancing
with some surprise at Vandeloup, 'and the other is old Meddlechip,
the millionaire.
Pages:
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254