nothing about it," replied Rock, putting him aside;
while he thought to himself regretfully, "That is 'stiff,' that bit
of paper; perhaps some poor wretch is in a scrape. I wish I hadn't so
wholly denied my signature. If the mischief's done, there's no good in
bothering the fellow."

The Seraph's good nature was apt to overlook such trifles as the Law.

Baroni kept pace with him as he approached the hotel door, and spoke
very low.

"My lord, if you do not listen, worse may befall the reputation both of
your regiment and your friends."

The Seraph swung round; his careless, handsome face set stern in an
instant; his blue eyes grave, and gathering an ominous fire.

"Step yonder," he said curtly, signing the Hebrew toward the grand
staircase. "Show that person to my rooms, Alexis."

But for the publicity of the entrance of the Badischer Hof the mighty
right arm of the Guardsman might have terminated the interview then
and there, in different fashion. Baroni had gained his point, and
was ushered into the fine chambers set apart for the future Duke of
Lyonnesse. The Seraph strode after him, and as the attendant closed
the door and left them alone in the first of the great lofty suite, all
glittering with gilding, and ormolu, and malachite, and rose velvet, and
Parisian taste, stood like a tower above the Jew's small, slight form;
while his words came curtly, and only by a fierce effort through his
lips.

"Substantiate what you dare to say, or my grooms shall throw you out of
that window! Now!"

Baroni looked up, unmoved; the calm, steady, undisturbed glance sent a
chill over the Seraph; he thought if this man came but for purposes of
extortion, and were not fully sure that he could make good what he said,
this was not the look he would give.

"I desire nothing better, my lord," said Baroni quietly, "though I
greatly regret to be the messenger of such an errand. This bill, which
in a moment I will have the honor of showing you, was transacted by my
house (I am one of the partners of a London discounting firm), indorsed
thus by your celebrated name. Moneys were lent on it, the bill was made
payable at two months' date; it was understood that you accepted it;
there could be no risk with such a signature as yours. The bill was
negotiated; I was in Leyden, Lubeck, and other places at the period; I
heard nothing of the matter. When I returned to London, a little less
than a week ago, I saw the signature for the first ti