The Moonstone - Page 237/404

I pointed to a chair, and begged to be informed of the nature of his

business with me.

After first apologising--in an excellent selection of English words--for

the liberty which he had taken in disturbing me, the Indian produced a

small parcel the outer covering of which was of cloth of gold. Removing

this and a second wrapping of some silken fabric, he placed a little

box, or casket, on my table, most beautifully and richly inlaid in

jewels, on an ebony ground.

"I have come, sir," he said, "to ask you to lend me some money. And I

leave this as an assurance to you that my debt will be paid back."

I pointed to his card. "And you apply to me," I rejoined, "at Mr.

Luker's recommendation?"

The Indian bowed.

"May I ask how it is that Mr. Luker himself did not advance the money

that you require?"

"Mr. Luker informed me, sir, that he had no money to lend."

"And so he recommended you to come to me?"

The Indian, in his turn, pointed to the card. "It is written there," he

said.

Briefly answered, and thoroughly to the purpose! If the Moonstone had

been in my possession, this Oriental gentleman would have murdered me,

I am well aware, without a moment's hesitation. At the same time, and

barring that slight drawback, I am bound to testify that he was the

perfect model of a client. He might not have respected my life. But he

did what none of my own countrymen had ever done, in all my experience

of them--he respected my time.

"I am sorry," I said, "that you should have had the trouble of coming to

me. Mr. Luker is quite mistaken in sending you here. I am trusted, like

other men in my profession, with money to lend. But I never lend it to

strangers, and I never lend it on such a security as you have produced."

Far from attempting, as other people would have done, to induce me to

relax my own rules, the Indian only made me another bow, and wrapped up

his box in its two coverings without a word of protest. He rose--this

admirable assassin rose to go, the moment I had answered him!

"Will your condescension towards a stranger, excuse my asking one

question," he said, "before I take my leave?"

I bowed on my side. Only one question at parting! The average in my

experience was fifty.

"Supposing, sir, it had been possible (and customary) for you to lend me

the money," he said, "in what space of time would it have been possible

(and customary) for me to pay it back?"

"According to the usual course pursued in this country," I answered,

"you would have been entitled to pay the money back (if you liked) in

one year's time from the date at which it was first advanced to you."