until he had turned the subject over in his mind, and carefully studied
every word that had been said to him.

He was a man who made caution the ruling principle of his life, and he
looked at every creature he encountered in the course of his career as
an individual more or less likely to take him in.

The boast of Mr. Larkspur was, that he never had been taken in.

"I've been very near it more than once," he said to his particular
friends, when he unbent so far as to be confidential.

"I've had some very narrow escapes of being taken in and done for as
neatly as you please. There are some artful dodgers, whose artful
dodging the oldest hand can scarcely guard against; but I'm proud to
say not one of those artful dodgers has ever yet been able to get the
better of me. Perhaps my time is to come, and I shall be bamboozled in
my old age."

Before replying to Honoria's inquiry, Andrew Larkspur studied her from
head to foot, with eyes whose sharp scrutiny would have been very
unpleasant to anyone who had occasion for concealment.

The result of the scrutiny seemed to be tolerably satisfactory, for Mr.
Larkspur at last replied to his visitor's question in a tone which for
him was extremely gracious.

"You want to know whether you can engage my services," he said; "that
depends upon circumstances."