onal explanation; moreover, George
believed that he had left home with that purpose. Then he made a few
rough calculations, which seemed to prove that enough remained to buy
and stock a farm in western Canada. This was something, though it did
not strike him as a matter of much consequence, and he listlessly
smoked out his cigar. Then he rose and rejoined Mrs. Lansing.

"If you don't mind, I'll go over to Wests' to-morrow," he said. "They
pressed me to spend some time with them, and there are arrangements to
be made on which they want my opinion. Edgar is taking up land in
Canada."

Mrs. Lansing looked troubled.

"Was there anything disturbing in the paper Herbert gave me for you?
He doesn't tell me much about his business, but I gathered that he was
vexed about some shares he bought on your account. I should be sorry
if they have gone down."

"You would hardly understand; the thing's a little complicated," George
said with reassuring gentleness. "I'm afraid I have lost some money;
but, after all, it isn't my worst misfortune. I'll have a talk with
Herbert as soon as he comes home."

He left Brantholme the next morning and was received by Ethel when he
arrived at Wests'.

"We have been expecting you," she said cordially.

"Then you know?"

"Yes. I'm very sorry; but I suppose it will hardly bear talking about.
Stephen is waiting for you; he's taking a day off and Edgar's friend,
Singleton, arrives to-night."

Singleton duly made his appearance, but he was not present when George
and Stephen West sat down for a talk after dinner in the latter's
smoking-room. Presently George took out the statement and handed it to
his host.

"I want advice badly and I can't go to an outsider for it," he said.
"I feel quite safe in confiding in you."

West studied the document for a while before he looked up.

"The main point to be decided is--whether you should sell these shares
at once for what they will bring, or wait a little? With your
permission, we'll ask Singleton; he knows more about the matter than
anybody else."

Singleton came in and lighted a cigar, and then listened carefully,
with a curious little smile, while West supplied a few explanations.

"Hold on to these shares, even if you have to make a sacrifice to do
so," he advised.

"But they seem to be almost worthless," George objected.

"Perhaps I had better go into the matter fully," said Singleton. "I'll
do so on the understanding that wha