'So I have,' said Undy; 'everything that I can without utter ruin. The Ballydehobs are not saleable, as you know.'
'What can I do for you, then?'
Undy set himself again to think. 'I have no doubt I could get a thousand on our joint names. That blackguard, M'Ruen, would do it.'
'Who is M'Ruen?' asked Alaric.
'A low blackguard of a discounting Jew Christian. He would do it; but then, heaven knows what he would charge, and he'd make so many difficulties that I shouldn't have the money for the next fortnight.'
'I wouldn't have my name on a bill in such a man's hands on any account,' said Alaric.
'Well, I don't like it myself,' said Undy; 'but what the deuce am I to do? I might as well go to Tillietudlem without my head as without money.'
'I thought you'd kept a lot of the Mary Janes,' said Alaric.
'So I had, but they're gone now. I tell you I've managed £1,000 myself. It would murder me now if the seat were to go into other hands. I'd get the Committee on the Limehouse Bridge, and we should treble our money. Vigil told me he would not refuse the Committee, though of course the Government won't consent to a grant if they can help it.'
'Well, Undy, I can let you have £250, and that is every shilling I have at my banker's.'