tremor on
his friend's countenance.

"No, no; a private affair; nothing to do with us. You stay on till
Saturday? I might be back in twenty-four hours."

"Good. Yes; I want to have some more talk with Applegarth about that
advertising proposal. I don't like to start with quite such a heavy
outlay."

"Nor I either," replied Godfrey, his eyes wandering. He paused, bit the
end of his moustache, and added. "By the bye, the St. Neots money will
be paid on Saturday, you said?"

"I believe so. Or early next week."

"That's right. I want to get done. Queer how these details fidget me.
Nerves! I ought to have had a holiday this summer. You were wiser."

The next day Warburton went out with Applegarth to his house some ten
miles south of Bristol, and dined there, and stayed over night. It had
not yet been settled where he and Sherwood should have their permanent
abode; there was a suggestion that they should share a house which was
to let not far from Applegarth's, but Will felt uneasy at the thought
of a joint tenancy, doubting whether he could live in comfort with any
man. He was vexed at having to leave his flat in Chelsea, which so
thoroughly suited his habits and his tastes.

Warburton and his host talked much of Sherwood.

"When I first met him," said the jam-manufacturer, "he struck me as the
queerest man of business--except myself--that I had ever seen. He
talked about Norse sagas, witchcraft, and so on, and when he began
about business, I felt uneasy. Of course I know him better now."

"There are not many steadier and shrewder men than Sherwood," remarked
Will.

"I feel sure of that," replied the other. And he added, as if to
fortify himself in the opinion: "Yes, I feel sure of it."

"In spite of all his energy, never rash."

"No, no; I can see that. Yet," added Applegarth, again as if for
self-confirmation, "he has energy of an uncommon kind."

"That will soon show itself," replied Warburton, smiling. "He's
surveying the field like a general before battle."

"Yes. No end of bright ideas. Some of them--perhaps--not immediately
practicable."

"Oh, Sherwood looks far ahead."

Applegarth nodded, and for a minute or two each was occupied with his
own reflections.

CHAPTER 14

Godfrey having telegraphed that he must remain in town, Warburton soon
joined him. His partner was more cheerful and sanguine than ever; he
had cleared off numberless odds and ends of business; there remained
little to