. "Every
one does it sometimes. He'd be glad to help you. I know he would.
Have you ever thought what it will be like, Laverick, to be
hammered?"

"I have," Laverick admitted wearily. "God knows it seems as
terrible a thing to me as it can to you! But if we go down, we
must go down with clean hands. I've no faith in your infernal
market, and not one penny will I borrow from a friend."

The Jew's face was almost piteous. He stretched himself across the
table. There were genuine tears in his eyes.

"Laverick," he said, "old man, you're wrong. I know you think I've
been led away. I've taken you out of our depth, but the only
trouble has been that we haven't had enough capital, and no backing.
Those who stand up will win. They will make money."

"Unfortunately," Laverick remarked, "we cannot stand up. Please
understand that I will not discuss this matter with you in any way.
I will not borrow money from Rendell or any friend. I 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 refused. If you see any hope
in that direction, why don't you try some of your own friends? For
every one man I know in the House, you have seemed to be bosom
friends with at least twenty."

Morrison groaned.

"Those I know are not that sort of friend," he answered. "They will
drink with you and spend a night out or a week-end at Brighton, but
they do not lend money. If they would, do you think I would mind
asking? Why, I would go on my knees to any man who would lend us
the money. I would even kiss his feet. I cannot bear it, Laverick!
I cannot! I cannot!"

Laverick said nothing. Words were useless things, wasted upon such
a creature. He eyed his partner with a contempt which he took no
pains to conceal. This, then, was the smart young fellow recommended
to him on 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 office day by day, glossy and immaculately dressed,
with a flower in his buttonhole, boots that were a trifle too shiny,
hat and coat, gloves and manner, all imitation but all very near the
real thing. What a collapse!

"You're going to stay and see it through?" he whined across the table.

"Certainly," Laverick answer