The Merry Past 



man of fashion pleased Rogers, who with his most 

 winning smile enquired what his visitor's needs 

 might be. 



** I want about two or three thousand pounds. 

 Can your house accommodate me ? " 



" Without doubt, sir. We shall have great pleasure 

 in doing so. May I ask on what security ? " 



" Oh, personal security, personal security," replied 

 Sir Frederick, adjusting his cravat. 



Mr. Rogers smiled. " Will you walk this way, 

 sir ? " He then opened a small door and led the 

 way through various apartments and passages, until 

 they arrived at a small room fitted up with fireproof 

 deed cases and other places of safety. Here he took 

 a small gold Bramah key from his waistcoat pocket, 

 and opening a large iron safe or closet, courteously 

 waved his hand. With a small sly look of the eye, 

 Mr. Rogers turned to Sir Frederick and said : 



" I must trouble you to walk in here, Sir Frederick." 



" Walk in there ? walk in there ! What for, sir ? 

 what for, sir ? " 



" Oh, my dear sir, we always keep our securities in 

 that closet." 



The poor dandy was completely nonplussed by 

 this novel method of showing a cHent what value 

 was attached to personal security. 



Another well-known frequenter of the West End, 

 a dashing colonel, who had run through a decent 

 fortune, became so encumbered with debts that he 

 had to resort to the most elaborate expedients to 

 escape the baihffs who were employed to arrest 



173 



