ey have some sort of scheme for leaving those high and dry," the
solicitor explained. "You see, the drainage and lighting will be largely
influenced by the purchaser of the whole estate. If Dowling gets it,
he means to treat your plots so that they will become practically
valueless. It's rather a mean sort of thing, but then he's a mean little
man."

Tavernake nodded.

"Well," he announced, "I was coming to see you, anyhow, this morning, to
talk to you about the money."

"Your friend isn't backing out?" the lawyer asked, quickly.

"My friend has not said anything about backing out yet," Tavernake
replied, "but circumstances have arisen during the last few days which
have altered my own views as to the expediency of business relations
with this person. I haven't any reason to suppose that the money won't
be forthcoming, but if I could get it from any other source, I should
prefer it."

The solicitor looked blank.

"Of course," he said, "I'll do what I can, if you like, but I may as
well tell you at once that I don't think I should have a ghost of a
chance of raising the whole amount."

"I suppose," Tavernake inquired, thoughtfully, "your firm couldn't do
anything?"

"We could do something, certainly," the solicitor answered, "on account
of our own clients. We might, perhaps, manage up to five thousand
pounds. That would still leave us wanting seven, however, and I scarcely
see where we could get it."

Tavernake was silent for a few moments.

"You haven't quarreled with your friend, have you?" the solicitor asked.

"No, there has been no quarrel," Tavernake replied. "I have another
reason."

"If I were you, I'd try and forget it," his friend advised. "To tell you
the truth, I have been feeling rather anxious about this affair. It's
a big thing, you know, and the profit is as sure as the dividend on
Consols. I should hate to have that little bounder Dowling get in and
scoop it up."

"It's a fine investment," admitted Tavernake, "and, as you say, there
isn't the slightest risk. That's why I was hoping you might have been
able to manage it without my calling upon my friend."

Mr. Martin shook his head.

"It isn't so easy to convince other people. All the same, I don't want
to get left. If you'll take my advice, you'll go and call on your friend
at once, and see exactly how matters stand. If everything's O.K. and you
can induce him to part a few hours before it is absolutely necessary, I
must confess that