'Close,' said Wentworth, 'who is it that knows everything about the
china trade?'
'About the china trade, sir?'
'Yes, about the china trade.'
'Wholesale or retail, sir?'
'I want to get at somebody who knows all about the manufacture of china.'
'Ah, the manufacture, sir,' said Close, in a tone that indicated this was
another matter altogether; 'the manufacture, sir; yes, sir, I really do
not know who could tell everything about the manufacture of china, sir,
but I know of a man who could put you on the right track.'
'Very well; that is quite as good.'
'I would see Mr. Melville, if I were you, sir--Mr. Melville, of the great
Scranton China Company.'
'And what is his address?'
'His address is----' And here the old man stooped over and wrote it on a
card. 'That will find him, sir. If you can drop a note to Mr. Melville,
sir, and say you want to learn who knows all about the production of
china, he will be able to tell you just the man, sir. He is in the
wholesale china trade himself, sir.'
'Would he be in at this hour, do you think?'
'Oh yes, sir, he is sure to be in his office now.'
'Very well, then; I think I will just run over and see him.'
'Very good, sir; anything more, sir?'
'Nothing more, Close, thank you.'
When the valuable Close had departed as softly and apologetically as he
had entered, Wentworth picked up one of the specimens of spar which
Kenyon had taken from the mine, and put it into his pocket.
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