had never been more strongly evident. They were partners in business and face to face with ruin. Stephen Laverick, senior member of the firm, although an air of steadfast gloom had settled

ing, with tears in his terrified eyes, disordered hair, and parchment-pale face. Words had flown from his lips in a continual stream. He flounde

cruel-too horrible! Eighteen thousand pounds gone in one week,

man on the other side o

you tried them all? Twenty thousand pounds would see us through it. We should get our own money back-I am sure of it. There's Rendell, Lave

son," Laverick answered. "Nothing would

e does it sometimes. He'd be glad to help you. I know he would. Hav

me as it can to you! But if we go down, we must go down with clean hands. I've n

stretched himself across the table.

I've taken you out of our depth, but the only trouble has been that we haven't had

have asked the bank and I have asked Pages, who will be our largest creditors. To help us would simply be a business proposition, so far as they are concerned. As you know, they have ref

son g

d at Brighton, but they do not lend money. If they would, do you think I would mind asking? Why, I would go on my kne

all sides, a few years ago, as one of the shrewdest young men in his own particular department, a person bound to succeed, a money-maker if ever there was one! Laverick thought of him as he appeared at the offic

nd see it through?" he

," Laveric

buried his fac

.. Laverick, we've a few hundreds left. Give me something and let me out of it. You're a stronger sort of man than I am.

is face eagerly. After all, why not let him go? He was no

averick said slowly. "When they refused to help us, it w

ted feverishly. "They would have stuck to it again

the proceeds for yourself. There are, I think, eleven hundred pounds. You can ta

le. He counted quickly with the fingers of a born manipulator of money. When h

he ordere

ive hundred and fifty. Why should we not go halves? That is only fair,

tuously away and locked up

sons. For one, I can bear this thing better alone. As for the rest of the money, it remains t

thin the limit of his understanding. But of his partner he had learned one thing, at least. The word of Stephen Laverick w

he said from the do

e to offer his hand. Laverick nodded, not unkindly.

k, Morrison," he sai