y。 So after a brief moment of reflection I told the business…like editor that I would sell the copyright for 100 pounds； and he departed to fetch the agreement。
As it chanced； however； there sat in the corner of the room a quiet clerk； whom I had never even noticed。 When the editor had departed this unobtrusive gentleman addressed me。
“Mr。 Haggard；” he said in a warning voice； “if I were you I would take the other agreement。”
Then hearing some noise； once more he became absorbed in his work； and I understood that the conversation was not to be continued。
Still a moment remained for thought。
“Why the dickens；” I reflected to myself； “did he say that to me？ He must have had some reason。” The business…like editor re…entered the room bearing the document in hand。
“I have changed my mind；” I said as he presented it to me： “I will not sell the copyright； I will take the royalty agreement。”
Undoubtedly the quiet clerk in the corner； who was acquainted with the estimate that had been formed of the book by his employers； did me a very good turn； as did my knowledge of men when I acted so promptly on his hint。
The royalty that I accepted might have been higher； at any rate after the sale of a certain number of copies； but it was infinitely better than the acceptance of a small sum down for the copyright of “King Solomon’s Mines；” of which the sale has been very great and at present shows signs of increase rather than of diminution。
Many years later this gentleman wrote reminding me of the incident and forwarding a book that he had published。
“King Solomon’s Mines；” which was produced as a five…shilling book； proved an instant success。 Published about the beginning of October； on December 9th Messrs。 Cassells wr