I saw at once that people who called to see the apprentices must not expect politeness from the buttons. Nevertheless I held my ground, and said firmly that I wished to see Susan Ford if she could be spared to speak to me. "I'll take up your name, and inquire," Buttons finally condescended to say. I said I was Miss Lindley, from Thorpdale. I was then requested to wait in the hall, where I sat and shivered for quite five minutes. At the end of that time Susan, jubilant with smiles, joined me. "Oh, Miss Rosamund, how kind of you! How very kind--I am delighted!" "Susan, I particularly want to ask your advice. Would it be possible for you to come out with me for a little?" "Oh, miss, I'd like to, awfully, but I'm afraid it's against the rules. Still, it would be a treat to take a walk with you, miss, and Madame Leroy is very good-natured. I have a good mind to try if she'd spare me for an hour; we are not particularly full of orders just now." "All right, Susan, do your best, for I really want your help," I answered. Susan nodded and disappeared. In an incredibly short space of time she returned, wearing a very smart jacket and stylish hat. Oh, how dowdy I looked by her side! "I'm just given an hour, Miss Rosamund," she said. The moment we got into the street I told her what I wanted. "I have got a curious old ring with me," I said, "very old-fashioned; I want to find out what it really is worth. Do you know an honest jeweller who will tell me the truth, Susan?" Susan's eyes sparkled. "There's lots of jewellers in Oxford Street, miss," she said. "I don't wish to go to one of them. They will fancy I want to sell, and will run my ring down." "Then," proceeded Susan, "there are men, Jews, most of them, who lend ornaments to my missis, which she hires out to her ladies." Susan's eyes shone very brightly when she revealed this little secret to her country friend. "Another time you shall tell me more about these jewellers," I replied. "But they surely would be the least honest of all, and could not help us to-day. Susan, you must think again." "I know an apprentice," said Susan. "And he's very clever, and--and-- wonderful on stones, Miss Rosamund." "Ah, I thought you were the girl for me to come to, Susan. This apprentice is just the person whom we want. Where does he live?" "Well, miss, if you'll come with me now we'll catch him just before he goes to his dinner. Sam is honest, if you like, miss, blunt I call him." "Take me to Sam without a moment's delay," I said. We walked quickly, and presently found ourselves in Hanway Street. We turned into a small shop. A lad of about twenty was selling a china cup and saucer to an old lady. The shop was full of all kinds of dirty, quaint, curious things. It reminded me a little bit of Cousin Geoffrey's house. The lad had red hair; he winked at Susan, and I saw at once that I was in the presence of Sam.