“Mr Globestein,” he said, “you must permit me to congratulate you on the acumen which still does not fail you in a deal. You need not fear that I shall abandon you in your need of a prosperous customer. In your line you are invaluable, and no one would dream of accusing you of attempting to palm off upon inexperience a sham Pigalle. But in morality you are no expert, and it would do you no harm to take a lesson or so from much humbler individuals. Now, it may interest you to know that I shall very probably--always granting you the first refusal--retain this statuette for my own, while investing in the name of its former possessor a sum equal to your highest valuation. For the rest, it is quite likely that I shall be visiting you on business in the course of a few days. What a pity it is that you do not interest yourself in Japanese prints. I am investing quite a sum in Koriusais, and Haronobus, and Yeishis and the rest. I wish you a very good morning, Mr Globestein.” “Good morning, Mr Balm, good morning, sir,” said the dealer--“and thank you.” CHAPTER VI. THE QUEST OF THE ROSE-RING I. _Wanted, old parrakeet skins, in particular the rose-ringed. Description: Green Plumage; black band extending from chin nearly to nape; rose-coloured collar. Length about_ 16 _inches. A fair price given for all and suitable. Apply_ 14a _Lower Marsh, Westminster Bridge Rd._ Herbert Nestle, the astute, the resourceful, stood questioningly behind his principal as the latter ran through the above advertisement submitted to his consideration. Gilead looked up, with a slightly puzzled expression. “Certainly an odd requirement, Nestle,” he said. “But what do you see in it?” “Nothing, indeed, sir,” answered the secretary, “but its oddity. It is a somewhat strange thing that the identical advertisement is repeated in another part of the paper, under the usual ‘Wants’ heading. The demand for parrakeet skins, especially for one description of parrakeet skins, should be urgent.” “Are they the vogue?” “Miss Halifax tells me not signally--not more than any other attractive plumage.” “Nor rare and costly?” “No, I think not. But of course I know little about such things.” “Well, Nestle?” “One might imagine, sir, that it was not parrakeet skins in general, but one parrakeet skin in particular that the advertiser had in view. The rose-ringed, you see, is the only one described in detail.” “Perhaps it is the most marketable?” “Yes, sir, perhaps.” “You do not think that that is the reason?” “No, frankly, sir, I do not--not a sufficient one to account for the distinction.” “What is, then?” “Ah! that, sir, I cannot guess. An inquiry might yield a very ordinary solution, or it might yield a surprising, or even a dramatic one. Things have been quiet of late. I thought no more than that here was a possible opportunity for you.” “Well, I am obliged to you, Nestle. I will think it over.”