"So it seems," Mowbray answered. "Since you have succeeded, may I ask if you came here by this gentleman's request?"
"Why, no!" Harding looked at Davies with a twinkle. "I guess my turning up is a surprise to him."
Davies' crestfallen air bore this out, but he waited silently, and for a moment or two neither Brand nor Mowbray spoke. The Colonel, to his astonishment, was conscious of some relief. After all, he would rather fall into Harding's hands than the moneylender's.
"Perhaps you will explain the object of your visit," Mowbray said, when the silence threatened to become awkward.
"Certainly; though it ought to be plain. Mr. Davies holds a note with my name on it, which I understand Mr. Gerald Mowbray cannot meet." He leaned forward and took the note. "It's due to-day."
Baffled rage shone in Davies' eyes.
"You admit your liability?" he cried indignantly.
"Of course! My name's here; I don't go back on my obligations."
Mowbray looked at him with dull astonishment; and Brand, whose wits were clearer, with reluctant admiration. He thought the farmer was playing his part well; but Davies would not give in yet.
"Am I to understand that you acknowledge this as your signature?" he asked in a calmer tone.