rgain was for L200. I
want the balance due."

"But how do I know you have the letters?" whined the merchant.

"Tut, tut! I'm surprised to hear such foolishness from an educated man.
What you want will be forthcoming when you've drawn the cheque--take my
word for that. But I'm tired of pottering round here." The goldsmith
glanced at his watch. "I give you two minutes in which to decide. If you
can't make up your mind, well, that's your funeral. At the end of that
time I double the price of the letters, and if you want them at the new
figure then you can come and ask for them."

He held his watch in his hand, and marked the fleeting moments.

The merchant sat, staring stonily at the table in front of him.

The brief moments soon passed; Tresco shut his watch with a click, and
returned it to his pocket.

"Now," he said, taking up his hat, "I'll wish you good morning."

He was half-way to the door, when Crookenden cried, "Stop!" and reached
for a pen, which he dipped in the ink.

"He, he!" he sniggered, "it's all right, Tresco--I only wanted to test
you. You shall have the money. I can see you're a staunch man such as I
can depend on."

He rose suddenly, and went to the big safe which stood against the wall,
and from it he took a cash-box, which he placed on the table.

"Upon consideration," he said, "I have decided to pay you in cash--it's
far safer for both parties."

He counted out a number of bank notes, which he handed to the goldsmith.

Tresco put down his hat, put on his spectacles, and counted the money.
"Ten tens are a hundred, ten fives are fifty, ten ones are ten," he
said. "Perfectly correct." He put his hand into the inner pocket of his
coat, and drew out a packet, which was tied roughly with a piece of
coarse string. "And here are the letters," he added, as he placed them
on the table. Then he put the money into his pocket.

Crookenden opened the packet, and glanced at the letters.

Tresco had picked up his hat.

"I am satisfied," said the merchant. "Evidently you are a man of
resource. But don't forget that in this matter we are dependent upon
each other. I rely thoroughly on you, Tresco, thoroughly. Let us forget
the little piece of play-acting of a few minutes ago. Let us be friends,
I might say comrades."

"Certainly, sir. I do so with pleasure."

"But for the future," continued Crookenden, "we had better not appear
too friendly in public, not for six months or so."

"Certainly not, n