woman's will, but in bridging over
this difficulty--this Chat Moss, to speak professionally."

"Could you not procure for my friend, Joseph Tipps, a more lucrative
appointment?" said Edwin eagerly, as the idea flashed upon him.

The captain shook his head.

"Won't do, sir; I have thought of that; but, in the first place, I have
not such an appointment to give him at present; in the second place, if
I had, he could not draw his salary in advance, and money is wanted
immediately; and, in the third place, he would not if he had it be able
to spare enough out of any ordinary clerk's salary, because the debts
due by Mrs Tipps amount to fifty pounds--so Mrs Durby said."

"It is indeed perplexing," said Edwin. "Would it not be a good plan to
send them a cheque anonymously?"

Again the captain shook his head.

"Wouldn't do. The old lady would guess who sent it at once. Come, I
will leave it to you to devise a plan. Never could form a plan all my
life, and have no time just now, as I'm going off to the meeting in ten
minutes. I constitute you my agent in this matter, Gurwood. You know
all the circumstances of the case, and also about my bet of five hundred
pounds with the late Captain Tipps. Your fee, if you succeed, shall be
my unending gratitude. There, I give you _carte-blanche_ to do as you
please--only see that you don't fail."

Saying this, the captain put on his hat and went out, leaving Edwin much
amused and not a little perplexed. He was not the man, however, to let
difficulties stand in his way unassailed. He gave the subject
half-an-hour's consideration, after which he formed a plan and
immediately went out to put it into execution.

Meanwhile Captain Lee went to the head offices of the Grand National
Trunk Railway, and entered the large room, where the directors and
shareholders of the Company were already assembled in considerable
numbers to hold a half-yearly general meeting.

It was quite a treat to see the cordial way in which the captain was
received by such of his brother directors as sat near him, and, when he
had wiped his bald head and put on his spectacles, and calmly looked
round the hall, his bland visage appeared to act the part of a
reflector, for, wherever his eyes were turned, there sunshine appeared
to glow. In fact several of the highly sympathetic people present--of
whom there are always a few in every mixed meeting--unconsciously smiled
and nodded as his eye passed over their