His 'Ruthven' lifts him
far above the ruck of a _mere_ Smith--like myself, for instance"; and he
smiled again.
Annesley began curiously to feel as if she knew him well. This made her
more anxious to give him help--for it would not be helping a stranger: it
would be helping a friend.
"I've heard, of course, that he's something--I'm not sure what--in a firm
of jewellers," she said. "But I'd no idea of his being so important."
"He's third partner with Van Vreck & Co.," her companion explained. "I've
heard he joined at first because of his great knowledge of jewels and
because he's been able to revive the lost art of making certain
transparent enamels. The Van Vrecks sent for him from England years ago.
He buys jewels for the firm now, I believe. No doubt that's why he's in
such a funk about burglars."
"Fancy your knowing more about Mr. Smith than I know! Perhaps more than
Mrs. Ellsworth knows!" exclaimed Annesley, forgetting the strain of
expectation--the dread that a pair of mysterious, nightmare men might
break up the dreamlike dinner-party for two.
"I don't know more about him than half America and Europe knows," laughed
the man.
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