"And you did your best to make them desperate." Sherwood's head
seemed trying to bury itself between his shoulders; his feet hid
themselves under the chair, he held his hat in a way suggestive of
the man who comes to beg.

"The devil of the City got hold of me," he replied, with a miserable
attempt to look Warburton in the face.

"Yes," said Will, "that's clear. Then, a month ago, you really
possessed only nine thousand pounds?"

"That was all I had left, out of nearly forty thousand."

"What astonishes me is, that you won from time to time."

"I did!" exclaimed Godfrey, with sudden animation. "Look at the
fifth of February--that was a great day! It's that kind of thing
that tempts a man on. Afterwards I lost steadily but I might have
won any day. And I had to make a good deal, if we were to come to
terms with Applegarth. I nearly did it. I was as cautious as a man
could be--content with small things. If only I hadn't been pressed
for time! It was only the want of time that made me use your money.
Of course, it was criminal. Don't think I wish to excuse myself for
one moment. Absolutely criminal. I knew what was at stake. But I
thought the thing was sure. It promised at the least twenty-five per
cent. We should have started brilliantly at Bristol--several
thousands for advertisement, beyond our estimate. I don't think the
Biggles people were dishonest--"