"And where does he keep the figures that ain't straight sailing? That's the book I want to see."
"There is no such book."
"Look here, Gus,—if I find you deceiving me I'll throw you overboard as sure as I'm a living woman. I will indeed. I'll have no mercy. I've stuck to you, and made a man of you, and I expect you to stick to me."
"Not much of a man," said Musselboro, with a touch of scorn in his voice.
"You've never had a shilling yet but what I gave you."
"Yes; I have. I've had what I've worked for,—and worked confounded hard too."
"Look here, Musselboro; if you're going to throw me over, just tell me so, and let us begin fair."
"I'm not going to throw you over. I've always been on the square with you. Why don't you trust me out and out, and then I could do a deal better for you. You ask me now about your money. I don't know about your money, Mrs. Van Siever. How am I to know anything about your money, Mrs. Van Siever? You don't give me any power of keeping a hand upon Dobbs Broughton. I suppose you have security from Dobbs Broughton, but I don't know what security you have, Mrs. Van Siever. He owes you now £915 16s. 2d. on last year's account!"
"Why doesn't he give me a cheque for the money?"
"He says he can't spare it. You may have £500, and the rest when he can give it you. Or he'll give you his note-of-hand at fourteen days for the whole."