rincipal here. I am but the agent of a superior, and I
have no choice, no power.'

'Don't say so,' retorted Fledgeby, secretly exultant as the old man
stretched out his hands, with a shrinking action of defending himself
against the sharp construction of the two observers. 'Don't play the
tune of the trade, Mr Riah. You've a right to get in your debts, if
you're determined to do it, but don't pretend what every one in your
line regularly pretends. At least, don't do it to me. Why should you, Mr
Riah? You know I know all about you.'

The old man clasped the skirt of his long coat with his disengaged hand,
and directed a wistful look at Fledgeby.

'And don't,' said Fledgeby, 'don't, I entreat you as a favour, Mr Riah,
be so devilish meek, for I know what'll follow if you are. Look here, Mr
Riah. This gentleman is Mr Twemlow.'

The Jew turned to him and bowed. That poor lamb bowed in return; polite,
and terrified.

'I have made such a failure,' proceeded Fledgeby, 'in trying to do
anything with you for my friend Lammle, that I've hardly a hope of doing
anything with you for my friend (and connexion indeed) Mr Twemlow. But
I do think that if you would do a favour for anybody, you would for me,
and I won't fail for want of trying, and I've passed my promise to Mr
Twemlow besides. Now, Mr Riah, here is Mr Twemlow. Always good for his
interest, always coming up to time, always paying his little way. Now,
why should you press Mr Twemlow? You can't have any spite against Mr
Twemlow! Why not be easy with Mr Twemlow?'

The old man looked into Fledgeby's little eyes for any sign of leave to
be easy with Mr Twemlow; but there was no sign in them.

'Mr Twemlow is no connexion of yours, Mr Riah,' said Fledgeby; 'you
can't want to be even with him for having through life gone in for a
gentleman and hung on to his Family. If Mr Twemlow has a contempt for
business, what can it matter to you?'

'But pardon me,' interposed the gentle victim, 'I have not. I should
consider it presumption.'

'There, Mr Riah!' said Fledgeby, 'isn't that handsomely said? Come! Make
terms with me for Mr Twemlow.'

The old man looked again for any sign of permission to spare the poor
little gentleman. No. Mr Fledgeby meant him to be racked.

'I am very sorry, Mr Twemlow,' said Riah. 'I have my instructions. I am
invested with no authority for diverging from them. The money must be
paid.'

'In full and slap down, do you mean, Mr Riah?' asked Fledge