a half was spent in drawing off certain
accounts, and in determining the line of operations for the morning. On
receiving two hundred dollars for these accounts, Ellis thought he
might with safety calculate; and a lad was sent out to see to their
collection. Then he started forth himself. First in order, he deemed it
best to see if he could not get a little more time on some of his
borrowed money. This was a delicate operation, and its attempt could
only, he felt, be justified by the exigencies of the case. The largest
sum to be returned was three hundred dollars. He had borrowed it from a
merchant in good circumstances, who could at any time command his
thousands, and to whose credit there usually remained heavy balances in
bank. But he was exceedingly punctilious in all business matters.

Both these facts Ellis knew. It would put the merchant to no
inconvenience whatever to continue the accommodation for ten days
longer; but the policy of asking this was felt to be a very
questionable one, as it would be most likely to create in his mind a
doubt of Ellis's standing, and a doubt in that quarter would be
injurious. Still, the case was so pressing, that Ellis determined to
see him. So, assuming a pleasant, partly unconcerned air, he called
upon the merchant.

"Good morning, Mr. A--," said he, in a cheerful tone.

"Good morning, friend Ellis," returned the merchant, pushing his
spectacles above his forehead, and fixing his eyes upon the face of his
visitor, with a sharp, penetrating look which rather belied the smile
that played about his lips.

"Let me see! Isn't it to-day that I am to return you the three hundred
dollars borrowed last week?"

"I don't remember, but can tell you in a moment," replied A--,
replacing his glasses, and taking from a pigeon-hole in the desk before
which he sat a small memorandum-book. After consulting this, he
replied--

"Yes: you are right. It is to be returned to-day."

"So I thought. Very well. I'll send you a check around during the
morning. That will answer, I presume?"

"Oh, certainly--certainly."

So far, nothing was gained. A hurried debate, as to the policy of
asking a few days more on the loan, took place in the mind of Ellis. He
then said--

"If just the same to you, it will be more convenient for me to return
this money on the day after to-morrow."

There was a slight contraction of brow on the part of Mr. A--, who
replied, rather coldly--

"I shall want it to-da