be done before the day, a week hence, appointed for the
signature of the new deed, for which purpose Applegarth would come to
London. Mr. Turnbull, acting with his wonted caution, had at length
concluded the sale of Mrs. Warburton's property, and on the day after
his return, Will received from St. Neots a letter containing a cheque
for four thousand pounds! All his own available capital was already in
the hands of Sherwood; a sum not much greater in amount than that
invested by his mother and sister. Sherwood, for his part, put in
sixteen thousand, with regrets that it was all he had at command just
now; before long, he might see his way greatly to increase their
capital, but they had enough for moderate enterprise in the meanwhile.

Not half an hour after the post which brought him the cheque, Warburton
was surprised by a visit from his friend.

"I thought you wouldn't have left home yet," said Godfrey, with a
nervous laugh. "I had a letter from Applegarth last night, which I
wanted you to see at once."

He handed it, and Will, glancing over the sheet, found only an
unimportant discussion of a small detail.

"Well, that's all right," he said, "but I don't see that it need have
brought you from Wimbledon to Chelsea before nine o'clock in the
morning. Aren't you getting a little overstrung, old man?"

Godfrey looked it. His face was noticeably thinner than a month ago,
and his eyes had a troubled fixity such as comes of intense
preoccupation.

"Daresay I am," he admitted with a show of careless good-humour. "Can't
get much sleep lately."

"But why? What the deuce is there to fuss about? Sit down and smoke a
cigar. I suppose you've had breakfast?"

"No--yes, I mean, yes, of course, long ago."

Will did not believe the corrected statement. He gazed at his friend
curiously and with some anxiety.

"It's an unaccountable thing that you should fret your gizzard out
about this new affair, which seems all so smooth, when you took the
Ailie Street worries without turning a hair."

"Stupid--nerves out of order," muttered Godfrey, as he crossed,
uncrossed, recrossed his legs, and bit at a cigar, as if he meant to
breakfast on it. "I must get away for a week or two as soon as we've
signed."

"Yes, but look here." Warburton stood before him, hands on hips,
regarding him gravely, and speaking with decision. "I don't quite
understand you. You're not like yourself. Is there anything you're
keeping from me?"

"Nothing--