by H G Wells

, until year ago, little and very grimy-looking shop near Seven Dials, over which, in weather-worn yellow lettering, the name of "C Cave, Naturalist and Dealer in Antiquities," was inscribed The contents window were curiously variegated They comprised some elephant tusks and an imperfect set of chessmen, beads and weapons, box of eyes, two skulls of tigers and one human, several moth-eaten stuffed monkeys (one holding lamp), an old-fashioned cabinet, fly-blown ostrich egg or so, some fishing-tackle, and an extraordinarily dirty, empty glass fish-tank also, moment the story begins, mass of crystal, worked shape of an egg and brilliantly polished And two people who stood outside the window were looking, tall, thin clergyman, the other black-bearded young man of dusky complexion and unobtrusive costume The dusky young man spoke with eager gesticulation, and seemed anxious companion to purchase the article

While they were there, Mr Cave came into his shop, his beard still wagging bread and butter tea When these men object regard, his countenance fell He glanced guiltily over his shoulder, and softly shut the door little old man, with pale face and peculiar watery blue eyes; his hair was dirty grey, and he wore shabby blue frock-coat, an ancient silk hat, and carpet slippers down at heel He remained watching the two men talked The clergyman went deep into his trouser pocket, examined handful of money, and showed his teeth in an agreeable smile Mr Cave seemed still more depressed came shop

The clergyman, without any ceremony, asked the price crystal egg Mr Cave glanced nervously towards the door leading parlour, and said five pounds The clergyman protested price was high, companion Mr Cave-- , indeed, more than Mr Cave had intended to ask when he had stocked the article--and an attempt at bargaining ensued Mr Cave stepped shop door, and held it open "Five pounds is my price," , to save himself the trouble of unprofitable discussion As so, the upper portion of woman's face appeared above the blind glass upper panel door leading parlour, and stared curiously two customers "Five pounds is my price," said Mr Cave, with quiver voice

The swarthy young man had remained spectator, watching Cave keenly Now he spoke "Give him five pounds," The clergyman glanced at him if he were in earnest, and when he looked at Mr Cave again, latter's face was white "It's lot of money," said the clergyman, and, diving into his pocket, began counting his resources He had little more than thirty shillings, and he appealed companion, on terms of considerable intimacy This gave Mr Cave an opportunity of collecting his thoughts, and he began to explain in an agitated manner crystal was not, as matter of fact, entirely free for sale His two customers were naturally surprised , and inquired why he thought before he began to bargain Mr Cave became confused, but he stuck story, crystal was not market that afternoon, that probable purchaser of it had already appeared The two, treating this as an attempt to raise the price still further, made as leave the shop But point the parlour door opened, owner dark fringe little eyes appeared

She was coarse-featured, corpulent woman, younger and larger than Mr Cave; she walked heavily, and her face was flushed "That crystal _is for sale," she said "And five pounds is good enough price 't think what you're about, Cave, not to gentleman's offer ! "

Mr Cave, greatly perturbed irruption, looked angrily at her over the rims spectacles, and, without excessive assurance, asserted his right to manage his business own way An altercation began The two customers watched the scene with interest and some amusement, occasionally assisting Mrs Cave with suggestions Mr Cave, hard driven, persisted in confused and impossible story of an inquiry crystal that morning, agitation became painful But he stuck point with extraordinary persistence It young Oriental who ended this curious controversy He proposed should call again course of two days--so as the alleged inquirer fair chance "And then insist," said the clergyman "Five pounds " Mrs Cave took it on herself to apologise for her husband, explaining that sometimes "a little odd," and two customers left, the couple prepared for free discussion incident in all its bearings

Mrs Cave talked to her husband with singular directness The poor little man, quivering with emotion, muddled himself between his stories, maintaining one hand that he had another customer in view, and other asserting crystal was honestly worth ten guineas "Why did you ask five pounds ? " said his wife "_Do let me manage my business my own way ! " said Mr Cave

Mr Cave had living step-daughter and step-son, and at supper that night the transaction was re-discussed had high opinion of Mr Cave's business methods, and this action seemed culminating folly

"It's my opinion he's refused that crystal before," said the step-son, loose-limbed lout of eighteen

"But Five Pounds ! " said the step-daughter, an argumentative young woman of six-and-twenty

Mr Cave's answers were wretched; only mumble weak assertions that his own business best They drove him half-eaten supper shop, to close it night, his ears aflame and tears of vexation behind his spectacles Why had he left the crystal window ? The folly of it ! That trouble closest mind For time he no way of evading sale

After supper his step-daughter and step-son smartened themselves up and went out wife retired upstairs to reflect business aspects crystal, over little sugar and lemon and so forth in hot water Mr Cave went shop, and stayed there until late, ostensibly ornamental rockeries for gold-fish cases, but really for private purpose better explained later The Mrs Cave found crystal removed window, and was lying behind some second-hand books on angling She replaced it in conspicuous position But she argue further , as nervous headache disinclined her from debate Mr Cave was always disinclined The day passed disagreeably Mr Cave was, if anything, more absent-minded than usual, and uncommonly irritable withal afternoon, when his wife was taking her customary sleep, he removed the crystal window again

The Mr Cave had to deliver consignment of dog-fish at hospital schools, where they were needed for dissection absence Mrs Cave's mind reverted topic crystal, methods of expenditure suitable to windfall of five pounds She had already devised some very agreeable expedients, among others dress of green silk for herself and trip to Richmond, when jangling front door bell summoned her shop The customer was an examination coach who came to complain non-delivery of certain frogs asked previous day Mrs Cave approve particular branch of Mr Cave's business, gentleman, who had called in somewhat aggressive mood, retired after brief exchange of words--entirely civil, as concerned Mrs Cave's eye then naturally turned window; sight crystal was an assurance five pounds and of her dreams her surprise it gone !

She went place behind the locker counter, where she had discovered it the day before not there; and she immediately began an eager search shop

When Mr Cave returned business dogfish, about quarter to two afternoon, the shop in some confusion, wife, extremely exasperated and on her knees behind the counter, routing among his taxidermic material Her face came up hot and angry over the counter, jangling bell announced his return, and she forthwith accused him of "hiding it "

"Hid what ? " asked Mr Cave

"The crystal ! "

Mr Cave, apparently much surprised, rushed window "Isn't it here ? " "Great Heavens ! what has become of it ? "

Just then Mr Cave's step-son re-entered the shop from, the inner room--he had come home minute or so before Mr Cave--and blaspheming freely apprenticed to second-hand furniture dealer down the road, but he had his meals at home, and naturally annoyed no dinner ready

But when he heard loss crystal, he forgot his meal, anger was diverted mother step-father Their first idea, , he had hidden it But Mr Cave stoutly denied all knowledge fate, freely offering his bedabbled affidavit matter--and at last was worked point of accusing, first, his wife and then his stepson of having taken it with view to private sale So began an exceedingly acrimonious and emotional discussion, which ended Cave in peculiar nervous condition midway between hysterics and amuck, and caused the step-son half-an-hour late furniture establishment afternoon Mr Cave took refuge wife's emotions shop