The Safety Pin by J.S. Fletcher

The comfortable and prosperous looking gentleman whom Simmons Hackdale had recognised as Mr. Palsford, solicitor, of Normansholt, having made due enquiry at Southernstowe railway station as to the best hotel in the place, left his luggage to be sent on there, and walked slowly away into the streets. In so small a town he had little difficulty in finding the office he wanted, and before Simmons had travelled half way to Portsmouth, Mr. Palsford was climbing the stairs which the clerk had so lately descended. He opened the door of the anteroom in which Simmons usually sat, and finding it empty, rapped on the table: Shelmore poked his head out of the inner office.

"Mr. Palsford, of Normansholt!" announced the caller, with a bland smile. "Mr. Shelmore, I presume?"