ped at the corner in amazement.

"Good God, that's Heriot Walkingshaw!" cried one.

"A man of his age!" replied the other; "he's running like a wing
three-quarter--look at his stride!"

A benevolent lady half stopped the hat with her umbrella. The W.S. was
up to it. He stooped to reach it--a quick grab and he had it by the rim.

"Well picked up, sir!" cried one of the acquaintances.

Mr. Walkingshaw did not hear. He was on the other side of the street and
engrossed in brushing his quarry with his coat sleeve.

"It's a wonderful performance," remarked the other acquaintance; "but it
ought just about to finish him."

"Will it? Look at him--he hasn't turned a hair!"

"It's amazing--positively amazing!" they murmured together as they
watched their elderly friend not only replace his trophy on his head,
but cock it at an angle that breathed reckless defiance to the March
winds.

"Did you ever see Heriot Walkingshaw with his hat at that angle before?"

"As often as I've seen him do even time chasing it!"

Off he strode, breathing faster than usual, and his hat still a little
ruffled, but otherwise as jaunty a figure as ever left an office; while
his two acquaintances went away to narrate to the wondering city what
their astonished eyes had seen.

* * * * *

Meanwhile the junior partner was unburdening his soul to the
confidential clerk.

"That's the end of Guthrie and Co.!" he exclaimed wrathfully. "The whole
thing settled in a fortnight--we might be a marriage registry! It's just
been 'we agree to this,' 'we agree to that,' 'we agree to anything you
suggest.' We haven't fought a single point. I'd have made those
creditors whistle a bit before they saw yon five thousand pounds! But
what's my father say? You heard him yourself--'moral obligation'--'might
be fought!'--'get it settled.' He's botched the whole business."

Mr. Thomieson shook his grizzled head.

"It's certainly not been our usual way of doing business."

Andrew glowered at his desk.

"He said he was going to leave the business to me, and in forty-eight
hours he was taking more responsibilities on his shoulders than he had
for years! He barely has the decency to ask me for my opinion now; and
when I give it, he tells me it's timid. Timid!" The junior partner's
voice rose to a shout. "He just goes at things like a bull, and before
I've time to get in two words edgeways, the thing is settled and he's
out of the off