Mr. Townshend was seated at a large desk covered with papers, which were arranged in the most precise and orderly fashion. He was dressed with great precision, in a blue body-coat and a buff waistcoat with gilt buttons; his thin hair was brushed up over his temples, and his face was thin and pale. He received his visitor somewhat pompously, and made him a very slight bow. Mr. Simnel returned the salute much in the same fashion, and said, "You will wonder what has brought me to call on you, Mr. Townshend?" "I--I am not aware what can have procured me the honour of a visit, Mr.--Mr.--" and the old gentleman held up Mr. Simnel's card at arm's-length, and looked at it through his double eyeglass. "Simnel's my name! I daresay it conveys to you no meaning whatsoever?" "Oh, I beg your pardon! On the contrary, your name is familiar to me as that of the secretary of the Tin-Tax Office. I am glad to make your acquaintance, sir. I often have communication with official men. What can I do for you?" "It's in a private capacity that I've come to see you," said Mr. Simnel. "I heard you were going out of town, and I had something special to talk over with you." "I must trouble you to be concise and quick," said Mr. Townshend, by no means relishing the easy manner of his visitor. "As you say, I am going out of town,--for the benefit of my health,--and every moment is precious." "I shall not detain you very long," said Simnel, who had begun to nurse his leg, to Mr. Townshend's intense disgust. "I suppose we're private here? You'll excuse me; but you'll be glad of it before I've done. I may as well be brief in what I have to say; it will save both of us trouble. To begin with: I'm not by origin a London man. I come from Combcardingham; so do you." Mr. Townshend's cheeks paled a little as he said, "I came from Calcutta sir." "Yes; last, I know; but you went to Calcutta, and from Combcardingham." "I never was in the place in my life." "Weren't you indeed? then it must have been your twin-brother. I know a curious story about him, which I'll tell you." "If you are come here to fool away my time, sir!" said Mr. Townshend, rising. "By no means, my dear sir. You don't know me personally; but I'll pledge my official reputation that the story is worth hearing. I think when I mention the names of Pigott and Wells--" Down at last--sunk down cowering in his chair, just as at the Schröders' dinner, when he heard those dreadful names.