uire something extra
as a solatium or to avoid legal proceedings already undertaken. In fact
that they would "put more salt on your tail." The expression, I regret
to say, is not mine.'

Leonard folded up the notes, put them into his pocket-book, and walked
away. He did not feel like adding verbal thanks to the document already
signed. As he got near the door the thought struck him; turning back he
said:

'May I ask if Stephen said anything about getting the document?'

'I beg your pardon,' she said icily, 'did you speak of any one?'

'Miss Norman, I meant!' Miss Rowly's answer to this came so smartly that
it left an added sting. Her arrow was fledged with two feathers so that
it must shoot true: her distrust of him and his own impotence.

'Oh no! Miss Norman knows nothing of this. She simply asked me to give
you the money. This is my own doing entirely. You see, I must exercise
my judgment on my dear niece's behalf. Of course it may not be necessary
to show her the receipt; but if it should ever be advisable it is always
there.'

He looked at her with anger, not unmixed with admiration, as, bowing
rather lower than necessary, he went out of the door, saying sotto voce,
between his teeth:

'When my turn comes out you go! Neck and crop! Quick! Normanstand
isn't big enough to hold us both!'

CHAPTER XVIII--MORE BUSINESS

When Leonard tendered the eight hundred pounds in payment of his debt of
five hundred, Mr. Cavendish at first refused to take it. But when
Leonard calmly but firmly refused to pay a single penny beyond the
obligations already incurred, including interest on the full sum for one
day, he acquiesced. He knew the type of man fully; and knew also that in
all probability it would not be long before he would come to the Firm
again on a borrowing errand. When such time should come, he would put an
extra clause into his Memorandum of Agreement which would allow the Firm
full power to make whatever extra charge they might choose in case of the
slightest default in making payment.

Leonard's visits to town had not of late been many, and such as he had
had were not accompanied with a plethora of cash. He now felt that he
had earned a holiday; and it was not till the third morning that he
returned to Brindehow. His father made no comment on his absence; his
only allusion to the subject was:

'Back all right! Any news in town?' There was, however, an unwonted
suavity in his ma