Edgar Wallace

Grey Timothy Edgar Wallace

That was a trait in which he took the greatest pride. He was an intensely courteous man to his dependents. He invariably raised his hat to the salutation of the porter who guarded the entrance of Callander & Callander's. The meanest office-boy that ever stole stamps was sure of a kindly nod and a friendly pat on the head. He addressed his junior clerks as 'Sir', and carried with him that air of genial benevolence which so admirably suits white hair and plaid trousers. It is true that he paid his clerks at a poorer rate and worked them longer hours than any other employer of his standing in the City of London. It is true that he visited the office-boy, when his peculations were discovered, with the utmost rigour of the law, and was adamantine to the weeping mother and pleading father. It is equally true that he was always setting mean traps to test the honesty of the juniors to whom he said 'Sir'; but in all things he was courteous.