"Hallo!" said Thorn. "I have been expecting you for some days. I suppose you got my message?"
Gerald looked up and his smile was strained. "I did, but have been much engaged. Sit down and join me in a drink."
"What have you ordered?" Thorn asked, and shrugged when Gerald told him.
"That goes better after dinner. I'd sooner have something cool and light."
"Oh, well," said Gerald. "I felt I needed bracing. The fact is, I've had a knock—"
He stopped as a waiter came up and said nothing until the man had gone.
Then he drained his glass and turned to Thorn.
"I'm in a hole. Can you lend me two thousand pounds?"
Thorn hid his surprise. He thought urgent need had forced Gerald to make his blunt request; it was not his way to plunge at things like that.
"You asked your father for a smaller sum."
"They told you about my letter? Well, things have changed since; changed for the worse."