"I have fifty-five pounds in gold and fifty pounds in notes," answered Markham.
"Notes are safe enough," returned Chichester; "but gold is dangerous. Some one would be sure to frisk your purse. Here—I tell you how we can manage it—give me fifty sovereigns, and I will give you a fifty pound note in exchange. I can then lock up the gold in the baronet's writing-desk, the key of which, I see, he has fortunately left in the lock."
Chichester glanced, as he spoke, to the writing-desk, which stood upon a little table between the windows.
"I am much obliged to you for the thought," said Richard: "it is very considerate of you."
He accordingly handed over his purse of gold to his kind friend, and received in exchange a fifty pound note, which Mr. Chichester selected from a huge roll that he took from his pocket.
The two gentlemen then hastened to rejoin the baronet and Talbot, whom they overtook in Regent-street.
They all walked leisurely along towards the Quadrant; and while Talbot engaged Markham in conversation upon some trivial topic or another, Chichester related in a few words to the baronet the particulars of the little pecuniary arrangement which had just taken place.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE HELL.
AFTER having taken a few turns in Regent-street, the baronet observed "that it was devilish slow work;" Mr. Talbot suggested the propriety of "a spree;" and Mr. Chichester declared "that as his friend Markham was anxious to see life, the best thing they could all do was to drop in for an hour at No. ——, Quadrant."
"What place is that?" demanded Markham.