“God bless you, sir! I beg your pardon humbly. I’m a poor ignorant brute, with no head for anything but figures and—my fish. And just now I wouldn’t take your hand. Mr Bayle, sir, will you forgive me?”
“Forgive! I honour you, Thickens, as a sterling, honest man—shake hands. There, now you know my plans.”
“Oh yes, sir, I understand you!” cried Thickens; “but you must not do that, sir. You must not indeed!”
“I can do as I please with my own, Thickens. Save for my charities, money is of little use to me. There, now I must go. I shall see Hallam as soon as he is at the bank. I will not go to his house, for nothing must be done to excite suspicion. You will help me?”
Thickens hesitated.
“I ask it for Mrs Hallam’s sake—for the sake of Doctor and Mrs Luttrell. Come, you will help me in this. You came to me for my advice last night. I have changed it during the past few hours. There, I have you on my side?”
“Yes, sir; but you must hold me free with Sir Gordon. Bah! no; I’ll take my chance, sir. Yes: I’ll help you as you wish.”
“I trust you will, Thickens,” said Bayle quietly.
“And you are determined, sir?—your fortune—all you have?”
“I am determined. I shall see you at the bank about ten.”