The Fever of Life

by Fergus Hume

"Tell all, unless you promise to leave Oates alone."

"If you do your position will still be lost."

"I know it, I know it!" cried Dombrain in despair; "but what can I do? If I do not stop your going to Oates, he knows me, and he will tell all. If I do stop you, then you in revenge will tell all."

"I see, you are between two fires," said Mrs. Belswin, calmly. "Well, set your mind at rest; I will trouble Silas Oates no more."

"You will not?"

"No. All I wanted out of him was money, but as to that you will take his place and be my banker."

"I?"

"Yes, you! Pshaw, man, you needn't look so scared! You know well enough that the money will be returned to you when those shares are sold."

"But they are worth nothing."

"So I thought until you wanted to buy them," said Mrs. Belswin, with a sneer.