The cool stare of the baronet did not permit him to finish. It was really a look far more intelligible than common observers might have imagined, for it conveyed something like recognition,--a faint approach to an intimation that said, “I 'm persuaded that we have met before.” “Yes, that is the best plan. Let the groom have the ribbons,” said Martin, laughing with an almost schoolboy enjoyment of a trick. “And don't lose time, Merl, for Sir Spencer would n't miss his drive in the Champs Elysees for any consideration.” “Gentlemen, I am your very humble and much obliged servant!” said Cavendish, as soon as Merl had quitted the room. “If that distinguished friend of yours should not buy my carriage--” “But he will,” broke in Martin; “he must buy it.” “He ought, I think,” said Lord Claude. “If I were in his place, there's only one condition I 'd stipulate for.” “And that is--” “That you should drive with him one day--one would be enough--from the Barrière de l'Étoile to the Louvre.” “This is all very amusing, gentlemen, most entertaining,” said Cavendish, tartly; “but who is he?--I don't mean that,--but what is he?” “Martin's banker, I fancy,” said Lord Claude. “Does he lend any sum from five hundred to twenty thousand on equitable terms on approved personal security?” said Cavendish, imitating the terms of the advertisements. “He 'll allow all he wins from you to remain in your hands at sixty per cent interest, if he doesn't want cash!” said Martin, angrily. “Oh, then, I 'm right. It is my little Moses of St. James's Street. He was n't always as flourishing as we see him now. Oh dear, if any man, three years back, had told me that this fellow would have proposed seating himself in my phaeton for a drive round Paris, I don't believe--nay, I 'm sure--my head couldn't have stood it.” “You know him, then?” said Willoughby. “I should think every man about town a dozen years ago must know him. There was a kind of brood of these fellows; we used to call them Joseph and his brethren. One sold cigars, another vended maraschino; this discounted your bills, that took your plate or your horses--ay, or your wardrobe--on a bill of sale, and handed you over two hundred pounds to lose at his brother's hell in the evening. Most useful scoundrels they were,--equally expert on 'Change and in the Coulisses of the Opera!” “I will say this for him,” said Martin, “he 's not a hard fellow to deal with; he does not drive a bargain ungenerously.” “Your hangman is the tenderest fellow in the world,” said Cavendish, “till the final moment. It's only in adjusting the last turn under the ear that he shows himself 'ungenerous.'” “Are you deep with him, Harry?” said Willoughby, who saw a sudden paleness come over Martin's face. “Too deep!” said he, with a bitter effort at a laugh,--“a great deal too deep.”