rted guiltily had he been surprised in
it, even by the meek Hendy.

Business--well, business could not be altogether as usual in these
times. As a rule Mr Pamphlett read his paper through, before and
during breakfast, and left it at home for Mrs Pamphlett to scan the
births, deaths, and marriages, the "wanteds," the Court Circular, and
any report there might happen to be of a colliery explosion (she
specialised in colliery explosions: they appealed to her as combining
violent death with darkness) before interviewing the cook.
But to-day, with all Europe in the melting-pot--so to speak--Mr
Pamphlett had broken his rule. He craved to know the exact speed at
which Russia was "steam-rolling." There was a map in the paper,
and it might repay study.

Before studying the map his eye fell on a paragraph headed "Rise in
Prices." He paused and spent some time over this.

He was still conning it when the door opened, and Hendy appeared.
Mr Pamphlett muttered "Consols," and refolded the newspaper hastily.

"Nanjivell is here to see you, sir: at the side door. 'Says he must
speak to you in private."

"Oh . . . confound Nanjivell! I've had enough of that man. . . .
Very well; but tell him I can't spare a moment over five minutes."

Hendy ushered in Nicky-Nan, who hobbled forward to the table, hat in
hand.

"Good-morning, Nanjivell!" said Mr Pamphlett.

"'Mornin', sir."

"Another plea, I suppose?--when you had my word on Saturday that I'd
done with you."

"'Tain't that."

"Then what is it? . . . For I hardly suppose 'tis to pay up--rent
_and_ arrears."

"One--two--three--four--five--six--seven!" Nicky-Nan dived in his
pocket for the fistful of coins, picked them out carefully, and laid
them one by one on the table. "I'll take the change an' a receipt,
if you please."

"How came you by this money?" asked the Bank Manager, after a pause,
staring at the gold.

"What the hell is that to you?" demanded Nicky-Nan.

For a moment Mr Pamphlett made no reply. Then he leaned forward and
picked up one of the coins.

"I asked," he said, "because one of these happens to be a
guinea-piece--a spade guinea, and scarcely worn at all."

"'Tis as good as a sovereign's worth, hey?"

"Certainly: worth more in fact."

"I'll trust 'ee for the difference then," said Nicky-Nan. "As for
how I came by it, I came by it honest, an' that's enough. A man o'
my family may have a bit o' hoard put by--by his forefathers."

"I se