felt that he could go to Mr. Pook, and say, "Percy, on your honor as a
British book-maker, have I slipped it into you in any way whatsoever?"
And Mr. Pook would be compelled to reply, "You have not."

Miss March read the proofs of the page, and sniffed. But Miss March's
blood was up, and she would have sniffed at anything not directly
hostile to Mr. Pook.

* * * * *

A week later Roland sat in the office of 'Squibs,' reading a letter. It
had been sent from No. 18-A Bream's Buildings, E.C., but, from Roland's
point of view, it might have come direct from heaven; for its contents,
signed by Harrison, Harrison, Harrison & Harrison, Solicitors, were to
the effect that a client of theirs had instructed them to approach him
with a view to purchasing the paper. He would not find their client
disposed to haggle over terms, so, hoped Messrs. Harrison, Harrison,
Harrison & Harrison, in the event of Roland being willing to sell, they
could speedily bring matters to a satisfactory conclusion.

Any conclusion which had left him free of 'Squibs' without actual
pecuniary loss would have been satisfactory to Roland. He had conceived
a loathing for his property which not even its steadily increasing
sales could mitigate. He was around at Messrs. Harrison's office as
soon as a swift taxi could take him there. The lawyers were for
spinning the thing out with guarded remarks and cautious preambles, but
Roland's methods of doing business were always rapid.

"This chap," he said, "this fellow who wants to buy 'Squibs,' what'll
he give?"