verted in the first bitter moments of his loss
could have originated in no brain less unscrupulous than his own. He
would repeat the game that had been so successful at Sevenoaks. To do
this, he only needed to call into action his tools on the street and in
the management.

In the midst of his schemes, the bell rang at the door, and Talbot was
announced. Mr. Belcher was always glad to see him, for he had no
association with his speculations. Talbot had uniformly been friendly
and ready to serve him. In truth, Talbot was almost his only friend.

"Toll, have you heard the news?"

"About the International Mail?"

"Yes."

"I've heard something of it, and I've come around this morning to get
the facts. I shall be bored about them all day by your good friends, you
know."

"Well, Toll, I've had a sweat."

"You're not crippled?"

"No, but I've lost every dollar I have made since I've been in the city.
Jones has gone under; Pell has gone under. Cramp & Co. will have to
make a statement, and get a little time, but they will swim. The General
is the only man of the lot who isn't shaken. But, Toll, it's devilish
hard. It scares me. A few more such slices would spoil my cheese."

"Well, now, General, why do you go into these things at all? You are
making money fast enough in a regular business."

"Ah, but it's tame, tame, tame! I must have excitement. Theatres are
played out, horses are played out, and suppers raise the devil with me."

"Then take it easy. Don't risk so much. You used to do this sort of
thing well--used to do it right every time. You got up a good deal of
reputation for foresight and skill."

"I know, and every man ruined in the International Mail will curse me. I
led them into it. I shall have a sweet time in Wall street when I go
there again. But it's like brandy; a man wants a larger dose every time,
and I shall clean them out yet."

Talbot's policy was to make the General last. He wanted to advise him
for his good, because his principal's permanent prosperity was the basis
of his own. He saw that he was getting beyond control, and, under an
exterior of compliance and complaisance, he was genuinely alarmed.

"Toll," said Mr. Belcher, "you are a good fellow."

"Thank you, General," said the factor, a smile spreading around his
shining teeth. "My wife will be glad to know it."

"By the way--speaking of your wife--have you seen anything of Mrs.
Dillingham lately?"

"Nothing. She is commonly sup