his meaning was with regard to others
also.

'When will they be paid?' As his son hesitated, he went on:

'I am alluding to those who have written to me. I take it that as my
estate is not entailed, and as you have no income except from me, the
credit which has been extended to you has been rather on my account than
your own. Therefore, as the matter touches my own name, I am entitled to
know something of what is going on.' His manner as well as his words was
so threatening that Leonard was a little afraid. He might imperil his
inheritance. He answered quickly:

'Of course, sir, you shall know everything. After all, you know, my
affairs are your affairs!'

'I know nothing of the sort. I may of course be annoyed by your affairs,
even dishonoured, in a way, by them. But I accept no responsibility
whatever. As you have made your bed, so must you lie on it!'

'It's all right, sir, I assure you. All my debts, both those you know of
and some you don't, I shall settle very shortly.'

'How soon?' The question was sternly put.

'In a few days. I dare say a week at furthest will see everything
straightened out.'

The elder man stood, saying gravely as he went to the door:

'You will do well to tell me when the last of them is paid. There is
something which I shall then want to tell you!' Without waiting for
reply he went to his study.

Leonard went to his room and made a systematic, though unavailing, search
for Stephen's letter; thinking that by some chance he might have
recovered it from Harold and had overlooked it.

The next few days he passed in considerable suspense. He did not dare go
near Normanstand until he was summoned, as he knew he would be when he
was required.

* * * * *

When Miss Rowly returned from her visit to London she told Stephen that
she had paid the bill at the jeweller's, and had taken the precaution of
getting a receipt, together with a duplicate for Mr. Everard. The
original was by her own request made out as received from Miss Laetitia
Rowly in settlement of the account of Leonard Everard, Esq.; the
duplicate merely was 'recd. in settlement of the account of--,' etc.
Stephen's brows bent hit thought as she said:

'Why did you have it done that way, Auntie dear?' The other answered
quietly:

'I had a reason, my dear; good reason! Perhaps I shall tell you all
about it some day; in the meantime I want you not to ask me anything
about it. I have a reason for that to