According to the landlord of the "Hotel Vendome," to whom
Mahony was referred for fuller information, Purdy had soon tired of this
job, and selling dray and beast for what he could get had gone off on a
new rush to "Simson's Diggings" or the "White Hills." Small wonder Miss
Tilly was left languishing for news of him.
Pricked by the nervous disquietude of those who have to do with the law,
Mahony next repaired to his solicitor's office. But Henry Ocock was
closeted with a more important client. This, Grindle the clerk, whom he
met on the stairs, informed him, with an evident relish, and with some
hidden, hinted meaning in the corners of his shifty little eyes. It was
lost on Mahony, who was not the man to accept hints from a stranger.
The hour was on lunch-time; Grindle proposed that they should go
together to a legal chop-house, which offered prime value for your
money, and where, over the meal, he would give Mahony the latest news of
his suit. At a loss how to get through the day, the latter followed him
--he was resolved, too, to practise economy from now on. But when he sat
down to a dirty cloth and fly-spotted cruet he regretted his compliance.
Besides, the news Grindle was able to give him amounted to nothing; the
case had not budged since last he heard of it. Worse still was the
clerk's behaviour. For after lauding the cheapness of the establishment,
Grindle disputed the price of each item on the "meenew," and, when he
came to pay his bill, chuckled over having been able to diddle the
waiter of a penny.
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