by treating Langdon with scant ceremony when they were alone.

"Well, old man," began his host, "I do not flatter myself that I owe
this call to any personal charm. You dropped in to ease a little
financial embarrassment by the request of a loan--am I not right?"

"Right, as usual, Sandy, though I'd hardly call it a loan. You know I
was put to a devil of a lot of trouble about that Newton affair, and it
cost money to secure a shut mouth."

Sanderson frowned. "This is the fifth time I have had the pleasure of
settling for that Newton affair, Langdon. It seems to have become a
sort of continuous performance."

Langdon winced.

"I'll tell you what I'll do, Langdon. You owe me two thousand now, not
counting that poker debt. We'll call it square if you'll attend to a
little matter for me and I'll give you an extra thou. to make it worth
your while."

"You know I am always delighted to help you, Sandy."

"When I make it worth your while."

"Put it that way if you wish."

"Do you think that for once in your life you could look less like the
devil than you are naturally, and act the role of parson?"