id Acland.

A clerk entered the room. "Leave us," said Acland to the man, "and say
to any inquirers that I am particularly engaged. Now, Ogilvie," he
added as the clerk withdrew, "I am quite at your service."

"Thank you. There is a little business which has just come to my ears,
and which I wish to arrange quickly. My wife tells me that she has
borrowed two thousand pounds from you in order to pay a deposit on the
place on the Thames called Silverbel."

"Yes, the place where your wife is now staying."

"Exactly."

"I hope you approve of Silverbel, Ogilvie; it is really cheap at the
price; and, of course, everyone knows that you have returned a very
rich man. It would have been pleasanter for me had you been at home
when the purchase was made, but Mrs. Ogilvie was insistent. She had
taken a strong fancy to the place. There were several other less
expensive country places in the market, but the only one which would
please her was Silverbel. I cabled to you, but got no reply. Your wife
implored me to act, and I lent her the deposit. The purchase must be
completed at the end of October, in about a month from now. I hope you
don't blame me, Ogilvie?"

"I don't blame you--I understand my wife. It would have been difficult
to refuse her. Of course, had you done so matters might have been a
little easier for me now. As it is, I will pay you back the deposit. I
have my cheque-book with me."

"What do you mean?"

"I should like to write a cheque for you now. I must get this matter
put straight, and, Acland, you must find another purchaser."

"Not really!" cried Mr. Acland. "The place is beautiful, and cheap at
the price, and you have come back a rich man."

"On the contrary, I have returned to England practically a pauper."

"No!" cried Mr. Acland; "but the report of the Lombard Deeps----"

"Hush, you will know all soon. It is sufficient for you at present to
receive the news in all confidence that I am a ruined man. Not that it
matters. There will be a trifle for my wife--nothing else concerns me.
May I fill in this cheque?"

"You can do so, of course," replied Acland. "I shall receive the money
in full sooner or later from the other purchaser, and then you can
have it back."

"It would be a satisfaction to me, however, to pay you the deposit you
lent my wife at once."

"Very well."

Ogilvie filled in a cheque for two thousand pounds.

"You had better see Mrs. Ogilvie with regard to this," he said, as he