after this Conway,--or is it too late?"

"It might, or it might not," said Classon, with a significant imitation
of the other's tone and manner. Davis understood the sarcasm in a
moment, and in a voice of some irritation said,--

"Don't you try to come the whip-hand over me, Holy Paul. If there
be anything to do in this matter, it is I, and not _you_, will be
paymaster; so much for this, so much for that,--there's the terms!"

"It is such dealings I like best," said Classon, blandly "Men would
have benefited largely in this world had probity been parcelled out as
task-work instead of being made daily labor."

"I suspect that neither you nor I would have had much employment either
way," said Davis, with a bitter laugh. "But come, you must be stirring.
You 'll have to be off out of this before the afternoon. The Rhine
steamer touches at Neuwied at three, and I expect my daughter by this
boat. I don't want her to see you just yet awhile, Paul. You 'll start
for Hoechst, put up at the inn there, and communicate with me at once, so
that I may be able to reckon upon you when needed. It were as well, too,
that you'd write a line to Froode, and say that on second thoughts that
expedition to the Crimea might suit; explore the way, in fact, and let
me know the tidings. As to terms," said Grog,--for the other's blank
look expressed hesitation,--"if _I_ say, 'Go,' _you_ shall say 'For
what?'"

"I do love these frank and open dealings," said Paul, warmly.

"Look here!" said Davis, as the other was about to leave the room;
"old Joe Morris, of Mincing Lane, made his fortune by buying up all the
forged bills of exchange he could lay hands on, well knowing that the
fellows he could hang or transport any day would be trusty allies. Now,
I have all my life committed every critical thing to somebody or other
that no other living man would trust with a sixpence. They stood to _me_
as I stood to _them_, and they knew why. Need I tell you that why?"

"No necessity in the world to do so," said Paul, blandly.

"That 's enough," said Davis. "Come to me when you're ready, and I'll
have some cash for you."

CHAPTER VIII. A FAMILY MEETING.

Along a road pleasantly shaded by linden-trees, Davis strolled
leisurely that afternoon to meet his daughter. It was a mellow autumnal
day,--calm, silent, and half sombre,--one of those days in which the
tranquil aspect of nature has an influence of sad but soothing import,
and even the least m