exclaimed Hamish.

"I wish you would hear me out. He says a ten-pound note, perhaps a
five-pound note, on account, would induce 'his people'--suppose you
understand the phrase--to stay proceedings, and to give you time. He
strongly advises it to be done. That's all."

Not only all Arthur had to say upon the point, but all he had time to
say. At that moment, the barouche of Lady Augusta Yorke drove up to the
door, and they both went out to it. Lady Augusta, her daughter Fanny,
and Constance Channing were in it. She was on her way to attend a
missionary meeting at the Guildhall, and had called for Roland, that he
might escort her into the room.

"Roland is not to be found, Lady Augusta," said Hamish, raising his hat
with one of his sunny smiles. "He darted off, it is impossible to say
where, thereby making me a prisoner. My brother had to attend the
cathedral, and there was no one to keep office."

"Then I think I must make a prisoner of you in turn, Mr. Hamish
Channing," graciously said Lady Augusta. "Will you accompany us?"

Hamish shook his head. "I wish I could; but I have already wasted more
time than I ought to have done."

"It will not cost you five minutes more," urged Lady Augusta. "You
shall only just take us into the hall; I will release you then, if you
must be released. Three ladies never can go in alone--fancy how we
should be stared at!"