Upon the first door she came to was inscribed "A.F.
Keating, Solicitor, Commissioner for Oaths," whilst upon an adjacent
door was painted "Breibner, Importer of Pianofortes." She tried the
handle of the solicitor's door, to find that it was locked. She was
wondering what she should do when a tall, thin, podgy-faced man came
in from the court. Mavis instinctively guessed that he was Mr
Napper.
"'Ave you been waiting long, madam?" he asked.
"I've just come. Are you Mr Napper?"
"It is. Everybody knows me."
"I've come from Miss Meakin."
"Today?" he asked, as his white face lit up.
"I've come straight from her."
"And after what I said at last night's 'light fantastic,' she has
sent you to me!" he cried excitedly, as he opened the door on which
was inscribed "Breibner
"RE consultation, madam. If you will be good enough to step this
way, I shall be 'appy to take your instructions."
Mavis, despite her distress of mind, was not a little amused at this
alteration in Mr Napper's manner. She followed him into Mr Keating's
office, where she saw a very small office-boy, who, directly he set
his eyes on Mr Napper, made great pretence of being busy.
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