"No names, if you please, Mr. Kennedy. You have come here, I think you said, to find the son of a very old friend. What makes you suppose that I can help you?"
His change of tone had been a marvellous thing to hear--so swift, so masterful that Alban understood in a moment what strength of will and purpose lay hidden by this bland smile and benevolent manner. Herr Petermann was far from being the simple old fellow he pretended to be. You never could have named him that if you had heard him speak as he spoke those few stern words. Alban, upon his part, felt as though some one had slapped him upon the cheek and called him a fool.
"I am very sorry," he blundered--and then recovering himself, he said as honestly--"Is there any need to ask me for reasons? Are not our aims the same, Herr Petermann?"
"To sell wood, Mr. Kennedy?"
Alban was almost angry.
"I was walking down from the Castle," he began, but again the stern voice arrested him.
"Neither names nor history, if your please, Mr. Kennedy. We are here to do business together as two honest merchants. All that I shall have to ask you is your word, the word of an English gentleman, that nothing which transpires upon my premises shall be spoken of outside under any circumstances whatever."
"That is very readily given, Herr Petermann."
"Your solemn assurance?"
"My solemn assurance."
The old fellow nodded and smiled. He had become altogether benevolent once more and seemed exceedingly pleased with himself and everybody else.
"It is fortunate that you should have applied to me," he exclaimed very cheerily--"since you are thinking of taking a Polish servant--please do not interrupt me--since you are thinking of taking a Polish servant and of asking him to accompany you to England, by boat, if you should find the journey otherwise inconvenient--I merely put the idea to you--there is a young man in my employment who might very honestly be recommended to your notice. Is it not lucky that he is here at this moment--on board this very barge, Mr. Kennedy?"
Alban looked about him astonished. He half expected to see Lois step out of one of the cupboards or appear from the recess beneath Herr Petermann's table. The amiable wood merchant enjoyed his perplexity--as others of his race he was easily amused.
"Ah, I see that I am troubling you," he exclaimed, "and really there is not much time to be lost. Let me introduce this amiable young man to you without delay, Mr. Kennedy. I am sure he will be very pleased to see you."