I.—­The Grey Man

Having safely landed after a fatiguing journey, I took my modest belongings to the nearest cheap inn, engaged a garret room, washed, put on my newly-turned black coat, and proceeded to find Mr. Thomas John’s mansion.  After a severe cross-examination on the part of the hall-porter, I had the honour of being shown into the park where Mr. John was entertaining a party.  He graciously took my letter of introduction, continuing the while to talk to his guests.  Then he broke the seal, still joining in the conversation, which turned upon wealth.  “Anyone,” he remarked, “who has not at least a million is, pardon the word, a rogue.”  “How true,” I exclaimed; which pleased him, for he asked me to stay.  Then, offering his arm to a fair lady, he led the party to the rose-clad hill.  Everybody was very jolly; and I followed behind, so as not to make myself a nuisance.

The beautiful Fanny, who seemed to be the queen of the day, in trying to pick a rose, had scratched her finger, which caused much commotion.  She asked for some plaster, and a quiet, lean, tall, elderly man, dressed in grey, who walked by my side, put his hand in his coat pocket, pulled out a pocket-book, and, with a deep bow, handed the lady what she wanted.  She took it without thanks, and we all continued to ascend the hill.

Arrived at the top, Mr. John, espying a light spot on the horizon, called for a telescope.  Before the servants had time to move, the grey man, bowing modestly, had put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a beautiful telescope, which passed from hand to hand without being returned to its owner.  Nobody seemed surprised at the huge instrument issuing from a tiny pocket, and nobody took any more notice of the grey man than of myself.

The ground was damp, and somebody suggested how fine it would be to spread some Turkey carpets.  Scarcely had the wish been expressed, when the grey man again put his hand into his pocket, and, with a modest, humble gesture, pulled out a rich Turkey carpet, some twenty yards by ten, which was spread out by the servants, without anybody appearing to be surprised.  I asked a young gentleman who the obliging man might be.  He did not know.

The sun began to get troublesome, and Fanny casually asked the grey man if he might happen to have a tent by him.  He bowed deeply, and began to pull out of his pocket canvas, and bars, and ropes, and everything needed for the tent, which was promptly put up.  Again nobody seemed surprised.  I felt uncanny; especially when, at the next expressed desire, I saw him pull out of his pocket three fine large horses with saddles and trappings!  You would not believe it if I did not tell you that I saw it with my own eyes.

It was gruesome.  I sneaked away, and had already reached the foot of the hill, when, to my horror, I noticed the grey man approaching.  He took off his hat, bowed humbly, and addressed me.