the nick of time," returned Freeling.

"Yes, I can see all that."

"Well, don't look a gift-horse in the mouth, but spring into the
saddle and take a ride. Your mother-in-law is a trump. If she will,
she will, you may depend on't."

Freeling was unusually excited. Granger looked the note over and
over in a way that seemed to annoy his partner, who said, presently,
with a shade of ill-nature in his voice,

"What's the matter? Isn't the signature all right?"

"That's right enough," returned the young man, "after looking at it
closely. "But I can't understand it."

"You will when you see the proceeds passed to our accounted in
bank--ha! ha!"

Granger looked up at his partner quickly, the laugh had so strange a
sound, but saw nothing new in his face.

In about a month Freeling had in his possession another note, signed
by Mr. Dinneford and drawn to the order of George Granger. This one
was for five thousand dollars. He handed it to his partner soon
after the latter had observed Mrs. Dinneford in the store.

A little over six weeks from this time Mrs. Dinneford was in the
store again. After she had gone away, Freeling handed Granger three