fight his way through the web, had fallen into
the hands of the Hook Court firm of Mrs. Van Siever, Dobbs Broughton,
and Musselboro.

"Mr. Broughton told me when I was last here," said Crosbie, "that
there would be no difficulty about it."

"And it was renewed then; wasn't it?"

"Of course it was,--for two months. But he was speaking of a
continuation of renewal."

"I'm afraid we can't do it, Mr. Crosbie. I'm afraid we can't, indeed.
Money is so awful tight."

"Of course I must pay what you choose to charge me."

"It isn't that, Mr. Crosbie. The bill is out for collection, and must
be collected. In times like these we must draw ourselves in a little,
you know. Two hundred and fifty pounds isn't a great deal of money,
you will say; but every little helps, you know; and, besides, of
course we go upon a system. Business is business, and must not be
made pleasure of. I should have a great deal of pleasure in doing
this for you, but it can't be done in the way of business."

"When will Broughton be here?"

"He may be in at any time;--I can't say when. I suppose he's down at
the court now."

"What court?"

"Capel Court."

"I suppose I can see him there?" said Crosbie.

"If you catch him you can see him, of course. But what good will
that do you, Mr. Crosbie? I tell you that we can't do it for you. If
Broughton was here at this moment it couldn't make the slightest
difference."

Now Mr. Crosbie had an idea that Mr. Musselboro, though he sat in Dobbs
Broughton's seat and kept on his hat, and balanced his chair on
two legs, was in truth nothing more than a clerk. He did not quite
understand the manner in which the affairs of the establishment were
worked, though he had been informed that Mrs. Van Siever was one of
the partners. That Dobbs Broughton was the managing man, who really
did the business, he was convinced; and he did not therefore like to
be answered peremptorily by such a one as Musselboro. "I should wish
to see Mr. Broughton," he said.

"You can call again,--or you can go down to the court if you like it.
But you may take this as an answer from me that the bill can't be
renewed by us." At this moment the door of the room was opened,
and Dobbs Broughton himself came into it. His face was not at all
pleasant, and any one might have seen with half an eye that the
money-market was a great deal tighter than he liked it to be. "Here
is Mr. Crosbie here,--about that bill," said Musselboro.

"Mr. Crosbi