so. He knows you. What's your security? What are you going to do with
it--that eternal mine of yours?'

'Yes, that "eternal mine"; I want it to _be_ mine. That is why I need the
twenty thousand pounds.'

'Well, George, I don't see much hope for you. You never spoke to old
Longworth about it, did you? He wasn't one of the men you intended to get
into this company?'

'No, he was not. I wish he had been. He would have treated us better than
his rascally nephew has done.'

'Ah, that immaculate young man has been playing you tricks, has he?'

'He has played me one trick, which is enough.'

'Well, why don't you go and see the old man, and lay the case before him?
He treats that nephew as if he were his son. Now, a man will do a great
deal for his son, and perhaps old Longworth might do something for
his nephew.'

'Yes; but I should have to explain to him that his nephew is a
scoundrel.'

'Very well; that is just the kind of explanation to bring the twenty
thousand pounds. If his nephew really is a scoundrel, and you can prove
it, you could not want a better lever than that on the old man's
money-bags.'