ney as they were a few years since. No
doubt it suited Melmotte to make use of the money, and therefore,--as
he had succeeded in getting the property into his hands,--he did make
use of it. But it would be forthcoming sooner or later! In this way of
looking at the matter the Beargarden followed the world at large. The
world at large, in spite of the terrible falling-off at the Emperor of
China's dinner, in spite of all the rumours, in spite of the ruinous
depreciation of the Mexican Railway stock, and of the undoubted fact
that Dolly Longestaffe had not received his money, was inclined to
think that Melmotte would 'pull through.'

CHAPTER LXXV - IN BRUTON STREET

Mr Squercum all this time was in a perfect fever of hard work and
anxiety. It may be said of him that he had been quite sharp enough to
perceive the whole truth. He did really know it all,--if he could prove
that which he knew. He had extended his inquiries in the city till he
had convinced himself that, whatever wealth Melmotte might have had
twelve months ago, there was not enough of it left at present to cover
the liabilities. Squercum was quite sure that Melmotte was not a
falling, but a fallen star,--perhaps not giving sufficient credence to
the recuperative powers of modern commerce. Squercum told a certain
stockbroker in the City, who was his specially confidential friend,
that Melmotte was a 'gone coon.' The stockbroker made also some few
inquiries, and on that evening agreed with Squercum that Melmotte was
a 'gone coon.' If such were the case it would positively be the making
of Squercum if it could be so managed that he should appear as the
destroying angel of this offensive dragon. So Squercum raged among the
Bideawhiles, who were unable altogether to shut their doors against
him. They could not dare to bid defiance to Squercum,--feeling that
they had themselves blundered, and feeling also that they must be
careful not to seem to screen a fault by a falsehood. 'I suppose you
give it up about the letter having been signed by my client,' said
Squercum to the elder of the two younger Bideawhiles.

'I give up nothing and I assert nothing,' said the superior attorney.
'Whether the letter be genuine or not we had no reason to believe it
to be otherwise. The young gentleman's signature is never very plain,
and this one is about as like any other as that other would be like
the last.'

'Would you let me look at it again, Mr Bideawhile?' Then the