enumerated in Schedule B (enclosed). We have, we assure
you, done all in our power to find the gentlemen whose names and
addresses are therein given. These were marked 'Debt of honour' in the
list you handed to us. Not having been able to obtain any reply to our
letters, we sent one of our clerks first to the addresses in London, and
afterwards to Oxford. That clerk, who is well used to such inquiries,
could not find trace of any of the gentlemen, or indeed of their
existence. We have, therefore, come to the conclusion that, either there
must be some error with regard to (a) names, (b) addresses, or (c) both;
or that no such persons exist. As it would be very unlikely that such
errors could occur in all the cases, we can only conclude that there have
not been any such persons. If we may hazard an opinion: it is possible
that, these debts being what young men call 'debts of honour,' the
debtor, or possibly the creditors, may not have wished the names
mentioned. In such case fictitious names and addresses may have been
substituted for the real ones. If you should like any further inquiry
instituted we would suggest that you ascertain the exact names and
addresses from the debtor. Or should you prefer it we would see the
gentleman on your behalf, on learning from you his name and address. We
can keep, in the person of either one of the Firm or a Confidential Clerk
as you might prefer, any appointment in such behalf you may care to make.

'"We have already sent to you the receipted account from each of the
creditors as you directed, viz. 'Received from Miss Laetitia Rowly in
full settlement to date of the account due by Mr. Leonard Everard the sum
of,' etc. etc. And also, as you further directed, a duplicate receipt of
the sum-total due in each case made out as 'Received in full settlement
to date of account due by,' etc. etc. The duplicate receipt was pinned
at the back of each account so as to be easily detachable.

'"With regard to finance we have carried out your orders, etc."' She
hurried on the reading. "These sums, together with the amounts of nine
hundred pounds sterling, and seven hundred pounds sterling lodged to the
account of Miss Stephen Norman in the Norcester branch of the Bank as
repayment of moneys advanced to you as by your written instructions, have
exhausted the sum, etc."' She folded up the letter with the schedules,
laying the bundle of accounts on the table. Stephen paused; she felt i