nother L1000 a year as dividend
on the profit of those shares."

"That will be twenty per cent."

"Exactly."

"And will double your salary."

"Just so. But there is one little ceremony to be perfected before I
can be allowed to enter upon so halcyon a state of existence. The
L100 a share must be paid up." Mr. Wharton simply stared at him. "I
must have the L5000 to invest in the undertaking before I can start."

"Well!"

"Now I have not got L5000 myself, nor any part of it. You do not
wish, I suppose, to see either me or your daughter starve. And as
for me, I hardly flatter myself when I say that you are very anxious
to be rid of me. L5000 is not very much for me to ask of you, as I
regard it."

"Such consummate impudence I never met in my life before!"

"Nor perhaps so much unprevaricating downright truth. At any rate
such is the condition of my affairs. If I am to go the money must be
paid this week. I have, perhaps foolishly, put off mentioning the
matter till I was sure that I could not raise the sum elsewhere.
Though I feel my claim on you to be good, Mr. Wharton, it is not
pleasant to me to make it."

"You are asking me for L5000 down!"

"Certainly I am."

"What security am I to have?"

"Security?"

"Yes;--that if I pay it I shall not be troubled again by the meanest
scoundrel that it has ever been my misfortune to meet. How am I to
know that you will not come back to-morrow? How am I to know that you
will go at all? Do you think it probable that I will give you L5000
on your own simple word?"

"Then the scoundrel will stay in England,--and will generally find it
convenient to live in Manchester Square."

"I'll be d----d if he does. Look here, sir. Between you and me
there can be a bargain, and nothing but a bargain. I will pay the
L5000,--on certain conditions."

"I didn't doubt at all that you would pay it."

"I will go with you to the office of this Company, and will pay for
the shares if I can receive assurance there that the matter is as you
say, and that the shares will not be placed in your power before you
have reached Guatemala."

"You can come to-day, sir, and receive all that assurance."

"And I must have a written undertaking from you,--a document which my
daughter can show if it be necessary,--that you will never claim her
society again or trouble her with any application."

"You mistake me, Mr. Wharton. My wife goes with me to Guatemala."

"Then I will not pay one penny.