‘He’s gone out—won’t be back till twelve.’

‘Well, we’ll have the cheque done by then. Grigg and Limpet remitted at once. Look here.’

Mr. Marston pulled out his pocket-book, and drew from it a cheque, which he showed to Mr. Brooks. It was Grigg and Limpet’s cheque for £100.

‘Capital!’ exclaimed Brooks. ‘By Jove! it was a splendid dodge, Marston. About the cheapest way of getting a signature to copy I ever heard of. I’m ready; sit down.’

The pair of worthies sat down.

Mr. Brooks, producing the stolen cheque-book from his pocket, tore out a cheque and placed it side by side with Grigg and Limpet’s genuine draft for £100.

‘How much shall we make it?’

‘£500,’ answered Marston. ‘Less won’t pay us for the trouble we’ve taken.’

‘Is there sure to be enough to meet it:’

‘Certain; they always keep a big balance. I’ve ascertained that.’