at the law is very
uncertain,--the Earl would have to account for the moneys he has drawn
from the estate, which would run into many thousands of pounds, and,
together with the loss of the property, would confront his lordship
with a most serious situation. Your case, therefore, though weak from
a strictly legal point of view, is exceptionally strong as a basis for
compromise."

These words cheered me more than I can say, and it is an extraordinary
fact that his frozen, even tone, and his lack of all interest in the
proceedings had an elevating effect upon my spirits which I could not
have believed possible.

"As it is a compromise that I'm after," said I, "what better case can
we want?"

"Quite so," he resumed; "but as there is no encouragement in the
strictly legal aspect of the plea, you will understand that no
money-lender in London will advance a farthing on such unstable
security. Even though I am acting in your interests, I could not take
the responsibility of advising any capitalist to advance money on such
uncertain tenure."

This threw me into the depths again; for, although I never care to
meet trouble half way, I could not conceal from myself the fact that
my bill at the "Pig and Turnip" had already reached proportions which
left me no alternative but to slip quietly away in liquidation of the
account. This was a thing I never liked to do; and when I am compelled
to make that settlement I always take note of the amount, so that I
may pay it if I am ever that way again and have more money than I need
at the moment. Even if I succeeded in getting away from the inn, what
could I do at Brede with no money at all?--for in that part of the
country they would certainly look upon the Earl of Westport as the
real owner of the property, and on me as a mere interloper; and if I
could not get money on the documents in London, there was little
chance of getting credit even for food at Brede.

"It is rather a blue look-out then," said I as cheerfully as I could.

"From a legal standpoint it is," concurred Mr. Brooks, as unconcerned
as if his own payment did not depend on my raising the wind with these
papers. "However, I have been instructed by a person who need not be
named, who has indeed stipulated that no name shall be mentioned, to
advance you the sum of five hundred guineas, which I have here in my
drawer, and which I will now proceed to count out to you if you, in
the mean time, will sign this receipt, whic