"I happen at this moment to need a certain sum of money, and would wish
to receive it on these securities. They are title deeds of a property,
which, for reasons I have no leisure at this moment to explain, is
at present held by a distant relative in trust for my heir. You may
perceive that the value is considerable"--and he pointed to a formidable
array of figures which covered one of the margins. "The sum I require is
only a thousand pounds--five hundred at once--immediately--the remainder
in a year hence. Can this be arranged?"

"Money was never so scarce," said Swaby, as he wiped his spectacles and
unfolded one of the cumbrous parchments. "Devil take me, if I know
where it's all gone to. It was only last week I was trying to raise five
thousand for old Hoare on the Ballyrickan property, and I could not
get any one to advance me sixpence. The country is unsettled you see.
There's a notion abroad that we'll have a rising soon, and who knows
what's to become of landed property after."

"This estate is in Perth," said M'Nab, tapping the deeds with his
finger.

"So I perceive," replied Swaby; "and they have no objection to a
'shindy' there too, sometimes. The Pretender got some of your countrymen
into a pretty scrape with his tricks. There are fools to be had for
asking, every where."

"We will no' discuss this question just noo," said Sir Archy,
snappishly; "and, to return to the main point, please to inform me, is
this loan impracticable?"

"I didn't say it was, all out," said Swaby. "In about a week or two----"

"I must know before three days," interrupted M'Nab.

"His honour's waiting for Mr. Swaby," said Kerry, who now ap-peared in
the room, without either of the others having noticed his entrance.

Sir Archy rose with an angry brow, but spoke not a syllable, while he
motioned Kerry to leave the room.

"You must join my brother-in-law, sir," said he at last; "and if our
conversation is not already become the gossip of the house, I entreat of
you to keep it a secret."

"That, of course," said Swaby; "but I'm thinking I've hit on a way to
meet your wishes, so we'll talk of the matter again this evening;" and
thus saying, he withdrew, leaving Sir Archy in a frame of mind very far,
indeed, from tranquil or composed.

Swaby's surprise at his interview with Sir Archy, whom he never had
the slightest suspicion of possessing any property whatever, was
even surpassed by his astonishment on hearing the favourabl