"But why? What the deuce is there to fuss about? Sit down and smoke
a cigar. I suppose you've had breakfast?"

"No--yes, I mean, yes, of course, long ago."

Will did not believe the corrected statement. He gazed at his friend
curiously and with some anxiety.

"It's an unaccountable thing that you should fret your gizzard out
about this new affair, which seems all so smooth, when you took the
Ailie Street worries without turning a hair."

"Stupid--nerves out of order," muttered Godfrey, as he crossed,
uncrossed, recrossed his legs, and bit at a cigar, as if he meant to
breakfast on it. "I must get away for a week or two as soon as we've
signed."

"Yes, but look here." Warburton stood before him, hands on hips,
regarding him gravely, and speaking with decision. "I don't quite
understand you. You're not like yourself. Is there anything you're
keeping from me?"

"Nothing--nothing whatever, I assure you, Warburton."

But Will was only half satisfied.

"You have no doubts of Applegarth?"

"Doubts!" cried the other. "Not a shadow of doubt of any sort, I
declare and protest. No, no; it's entirely my own idiotic