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Abchurch Lane is not a grand site for the offices of a merchant prince Here, at a s door, bearing the words 'Melmotte & Co' Of whom the Co was coht be said to be in company with all the commercial world, for there was no business to which he would refuse his co-operation on certain terms But he had never burdened himself with a partner in the usual sense of the term Here Fisker found three or four clerks seated at desks, and was desired to walk upstairs The steps were narrow and crooked, and the rooular Here he stayed for a while in a sraph' was left for the amusement of its occupant till Miles Grendall announced to him that Mr Melmotte would see him The millionaire looked at hi to touch with his fingers the hand which Fisker had projected

'I don't seeentle to me about you'

'I dare say not, Mr Melmotte When I'reat ents whom I don't remember afterwards My partner I think told me that he went to your house with his friend, Sir Felix Carbury'

'I know a young ot any aht this would not have sufficed' Mr Melmotte bowed 'Our account here in London is kept with the City and West End Joint Stock But I have only just arrived, and asto London is to see you, and as I ue, in Liverpool, I took a note froht'

'And what can I do for you, Mr Fisker?'

Then Mr Fisker began his account of the Great South Central Pacific and Mexican Railway, and exhibited considerable skill by telling it all in coeous and florid In two ramme, hiscare that Mr Melue, and Montague, reappeared upon them As Mr Melmotte read the documents, Fisker from time to time put in a word But the words had no reference at all to the future profits of the railway, or to the benefit which such e; but applied solely to the appetite for such stock as theirs, whichworld by a proper manipulation of the affairs