e he reached Lit

here yet, I supp

plied the manager; "been

Sherwood bent over a book which, to judge from the smile upon hi

g how he thrashed an assistant master at school; thrashed him, he says, till 'the sweat dropped from his brows like rain-drops from the eaves of a pig-sty!' Ho-ho-ho! Wh

of infinite good-nature, and his voice, notwithstanding its frequent note of energy or zeal, had

airs in order, I must be off somewhere myself. Northward, I think. I want a little bracing cold. I should like to see Iceland. You know the Icelandic s

roundbacked chairs, and

n convinced. I looked about, made a few inquiries, and by good luck, not long after you

had seen th

e musician, and an astronomer; has built himself a little observatory-magnificent telescope. By Jove! you should hear him handle the violin. Astonishing fellow! Not much of a talker; rather dry in his manner; but no end of energy, bubbling over with vital force. He began as a barrister, but couldn't get on, and saw his capital melting. 'Hang it!' said he, 'I must make some use of what money I have'; and

opportunity,"

. Then we had more private talk. Of course I spoke of you, said I could do nothing till we had consulted togeth

burton saw that there was a questi

"I could only stand for

le capital, and yet I don't want to bring in a stranger. Applegarth could sell to a company any moment, but that isn't his idea; he wants to keep the concern in as few hands a

e had recently had to deal. He knew roughly what sum was at his disposal for investment; the winding-up of the business here could be comple

is affair has about as little risk

here's competition to be sure; but Applegarth is already a good name throughout England, and in the West they swear by it. At Bristol, Exeter

I stand. I have no resources of my own beyond

drummed on the arm of his chair, S

year in cash, and three times that in worry. At any moment they might sell. A man at St. Neots offers four thousand pounds; I suspec

od. "How could they do

ld have nothing to live upon, or as good as nothing. They draw some fifty pounds a year from a

at in two years' time their four thousand pounds shall produce three time

odised on the theme. Warburto

to St. Neots," s

of my ignorance. Why, it's one of the most interesting subjects a man can study. I shall take it up. One might have a little observatory of one's own.

nd the manager entered. Other b