? ? ? ?
"I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?'
? ? ? ?
" 'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.'
? ? ? ?
" 'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter that you wished to speak to me?'
? ? ? ?
" 'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute secrecy is quite essential -- absolute secrecy, you understand, and of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than from one who lives in the bosom of his family.'
? ? ? ?
" 'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely depend upon my doing so.
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