"Yes. The only real want now is time. Time! time! I have said it before perhaps too sanguinely; I can say it in all truth now."
"And, sir--did you not show this to be the case to Mr. Fosbrook?"
"I did. But alas, I had to deny to him my other pressing liabilities--and he questioned sharply. Nevertheless, I shall tide it over, all of it, if I can only secure the time. That account of Merrit's--we may as well go over it together now, Thomas. It will not take long."
They drew their chairs to the table side by side. A thought was running through Thomas Hill's mind, and he spoke it as he opened the ledgers.
"With this good news in store, sir, making repayment certain--for if time be given you, you will now have plenty--don't you think Mr. Castlemaine would advance you funds?"
"I don't know," said the banker. "James seems to be growing cautious. He has no notion of my real position--I shrink from telling him--and I am sure he thinks that I am quite rich enough without borrowing money from anybody for fresh speculations. And, in truth, I don't see how he can have much money at command. This new trouble, that may be looming upon him, will make him extra cautious."
"What trouble?" asked Thomas Hill.
"Some man, I hear, has made his appearance at Greylands, calling himself Anthony Castlemaine, and saying that he is a son of my brother Basil," replied the banker, confidentially.
"Never!" cried the old man. "But, sir, if he be, how should that bring trouble on Mr. Castlemaine?"
"Because the stranger says he wants to claim Greylands' Rest."