ted
with it."

"Oh--ah! Well, a good house would not be a bad investment; it would be
very convenient to have a residence in London."

"It is not for myself; it is a speculation."

"A speculation? What put that into your head?"

Whereupon Katherine told him her story.

"I think it rather a mad undertaking," was Mr. Newton's verdict. "These
projects seldom succeed. I don't care for clever interesting young women
who have no one belonging to them and cannot corroborate their stories.
How do you know she was not dismissed from Blackie & Co.'s for theft?"

Katherine laughed. "I certainly do not know," she said, "but I _feel_ it
is quite as impossible for her to steal as it is for myself."

"Feel!--feel!" (impatiently). "Just so: impostors thrive on the good
feelings of--of the simple."

"You were going to say fools," said Katherine. "Don't let us waste time,
my dear Mr. Newton," she went on, with good-humored decision. "We shall
never agree on such a topic; and I am going to buy this house, or
another of the same kind if this proves not to be desirable; and I
should be very sorry to employ any one but you to arrange the purchase."

"Oh, you know your own mind, and how to threaten--eh, Miss Liddell?" he
returned, with a smile. "I must know more about the tenement before I
can consent to act for you."

"It is an ordinary three-storied house, with a couple of rooms built out
at the back, in a small street where there are a few shops; but it is
near Westbourne Terrace, and therefore in a region of good customers.
The late owner has been succeeded by a son, who seems very anxious to
get rid of it. The price asked is seven hundred and fifty pounds, and I
believe the taxes are under ten pounds. Do, dear Mr. Newton, look into
the matter, and get it settled as soon as possible, and on the best
terms you can."

"Hum! and the furniture? Do you undertake that too?"

"Of course. Don't you see, I can do it all out of the money I have not
been able to use. There is quite three thousand pounds on deposit in the
bank. You know you wrote to me only a month ago about letting the money
lie idle. I shall employ it now, for my _protegee_, Miss Trant, will be
my only manager. I will pay her wages, and whatever profit after comes
to me."

"A very unknown quantity," said the lawyer, drily. "Still, the house
can't run away, and I suppose will aways let for fifty or sixty pounds a
year."

"Fifty, I think."

"Then I will look into