“But I do mean to say it,” replied Mr Jabez. “How came he to tell you? I never told a soul.”
“He didn’t tell me,” said Mr Grimstone thoughtfully.
“Then who did?”
“No one.”
“Then how came you to know?” said Mr Jabez, passing his box. “Why, you don’t mean to say he has been to you for five hundred?”
Mr Grimstone nodded.
“And offered you seven-and-a-half, and a bonus of thirty pounds?”
Mr Grimstone nodded again, and this time it was Mr Jabez Rowle’s turn to whistle.
“He wanted it done quietly, and I, after a bit, agreed to do it. But though we ain’t friends over business matters, Jabez Rowle, I know you to be a man of strong common-sense and integrity, and I thought you would give me a good bit of advice. But this seems to alter the case. Would you lend it?”
“Humph! Two five hundreds are not much out of fifty thousand,” said Mr Jabez; “but what does he want the money for? ’Tain’t for the business.”