Mr. Mowle did not start, but his eyes blinked, and he turned them upon Bartley Bradstone.
“You quite understand—I made myself clear, I hope, sir—that Mr. V. couldn’t possibly pay if he were pressed?”
“Yes, I understood,” said Bartley Bradstone. “I don’t suppose he could. All the same I want these bills and I O U’s. All of them, mind! Don’t let one escape.”
Mr. Mowle nodded.
“I shall have to pay, sir,” he said, succinctly.
Bartley Bradstone sighed.
“Yes, I expect so, confound them! Do the best you can; but buy them, and as soon as you can. When you have got them all, let me know. That’s all.”
Mr. Mowle closed his book.
“Very good, sir,” he said, shutting his lips. “I won’t detain you longer, sir. Everything is going on all right, as you saw by the last statement.”
Mr. Bradstone nodded, and opened the door.