In a few words, but with intense shame and mortification of spirit, Sir Ranald told of Slagg's threatening letter, and of all that his listener had been aware of days before.
'And these acceptances must be met?'
'But how, Cadbury—how? I might as well attempt to make a river run up a hill.'
'What is before you?' asked the peer, a cunning smile twinkling in his eyes, unseen by his visitor.
'Death or disgrace!'
'Disgrace in what fashion?'
'Arrest or flight.'
Cadbury continued to pull each of his moustaches in a kind of nervous way, and after a minute's silence he said, with a kind of laugh,
'I think I can help you.'
'I am not a man who has been used to seek help from others,' said Sir Ranald, with a little of his old pride of bearing.