"Con," said Mr. Sheldrake, "I want you to assist me in a private little matter of my own, and to ask no questions."
"Fire away, governor," was Con's rejoinder.
"A young man will call upon you in half an hour, with one of my cards, on which I have written, 'Do what you can for the bearer, a friend of mine.' He wants to borrow some money."
"And I am to lend it to him. How much?"
"Stop a bit. He wants to borrow money; he is in difficulties. Backed Christopher Sly, and lost; he's in a mess, and I want to do him a good turn. He must have the money, so you can put the screw upon him."
"What interest shall I charge him?"
"Whatever you like. It will be as well to make it something handsome; he will agree to anything so long as he can get the money."
"They generally do agree to anything," observed Con, sagely; "it makes me laugh to see their long faces sometimes. What security can he give?"
"None, I expect. You'll have to take his bill."
"Is it to be a long dated bill?"