Tulliver darted forward from his usual lurking-place as Gilbert went
in at the door.
"O!" he exclaimed, with undisguised disappointment, "it's you, is it,
sir? I thought it was a customer."
"I am sorry to disappoint your expectation of profit. I have looked in to
ask you two or three questions, Mr. Tulliver; that is all."
"Any information in my power I'm sure I shall be happy to afford, sir.
Won't you be pleased to take a seat?"
"How long is it since you saw Mr. Nowell, your former employer's son?"
Gilbert asked, dropping into the chair indicated by the shopman, and
coming at once to the point.
Mr. Tulliver was somewhat startled by the question. That was evident,
though he was not a man who wore his heart upon his sleeve.
"How long is it since I've seen Mr. Nowell--Mr. Percival Nowell, sir?" he
repeated, staring thoughtfully at his questioner.
"Yes; you need not be afraid to speak freely to me; I know Mr. Nowell is
in London."
"Well, sir, I've not seen him often since his father's death."
Since his father's death! And according to Mr. Medler, Jacob Nowell's son
had only arrived in England after the old man's death;--or stay, the
lawyer had declared that he had been only aware of Percival's return
within the last two or three weeks. That was a different thing, of
course; yet was it likely this man could have returned, and his father's
lawyer have remained ignorant of his arrival?
Gilbert did not allow the faintest expression of surprise to appear on
his countenance.
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