infernal
particulars? Have you made out the total?

Coyle Four thousand, eight hundred and thirty pounds, nine shillings and
sixpence.

Sir E Well, of course we must find means of settling this extortion.

Coyle Yes, Sir Edward, if possible.

Sir E If possible?

Coyle I, as your agent, must stoop to detail, you must allow me to
repeat, if possible.

Sir E Why, you don't say there will be any difficulty in raising the
money?

Coyle What means would you suggest, Sir Edward.

Sir E That, sir, is your business.

Coyle A foretaste in the interest on the Fanhille & Ellenthrope
mortgages, you are aware both are in the arrears, the mortgagees in
fact, write here to announce their intentions to foreclose. [Shows
papers.]

Sir E Curse your impudence, pay them off.

Coyle How, Sir Edward?

Sir E Confound it, sir, which of us is the agent? Am I to find you
brains for your own business?

Coyle No, Sir Edward, I can furnish the brains, but what I ask of you is
to furnish the money.

Sir E There must be money somewhere, I came into possession of one of
the finest properties in Hampshire only twenty-six years ago, and now
you mean to tell me I cannot raise 4,000 pounds?

Coyle The fact is distressing, Sir Edward, but so it is.

Sir E There's the Ravensdale property unencumbered.

Coyle There, Sir Edward, you are under a mistake. The Ravensdale
property is deeply encumbered, to nearly its full value.

Sir E [Springing up.] Good heavens.

Coyle I have found among my father's papers a mortgage of that very
property to him.

Sir E To your father! My father's agent?

Coyle Yes, bearing date the year after the great contested election
for the county, on which the late Sir Edward patriotically spent sixty
thousand pounds for the honor of not being returned to Parliament.

Sir E A mortgage on the Ravensdale estate. But it must have been paid
off, Mr. Coyle, [anxiously,] have you looked for the release or the
receipt?

Coyle Neither exists. My father's sudden death explains sufficiently. I
was left in ignorance of the transaction, but the seals on the deed and
the stamps are intact, here it is, sir. [Shows it.]

Sir E Sir, do you know that if this be true I am something like a
beggar, and your father something like a thief.

Coyle I see the first plainly, Sir Edward, but not the second.

Sir E Do you forget sir, that your father was a charity boy, fed,
clothed by my father?

Coyle Well, Sir Edward?

Si