[A ROYAL ROAD TO FORTUNE]
Mr. Nash considered. The expression which had been on his face a few minutes ago had nearly vanished. The ex-butler had expressed himself in terms which the solicitor felt might justify him in modifying the attitude he had been disposed to take up. That Morgan had been, and still was, presumptuous went without saying; at the same time, as matters were turning out, it seemed that there were things which might be said on the other side; at least so it appeared to Herbert Nash. On the whole, he was inclined to concede as much. He took a few steps, to and fro, beside the groyne; then planting himself directly in front of Morgan, he told him his mind, rather in sorrow, perhaps, than in anger; indeed his bearing altogether was very different from what it had been.
"I tell you what it is, Morgan, your conduct, from first to last, has been bad."
Mr. Morgan smiled at him, affably.
"Has it? That's good, coming from you."
"That's where you've got the wrong end of the stick; whatever I've done I've done nothing to you."
"No; and therefore you think that I've no right to put a finger in the pie you've found."
"You'd no right to force yourself into my place, and run the rule over my things."
"That was luck, Nash, pure luck. I didn't call intending to run the rule over your things; is it likely? But if you will carry papers in your letter-case, you shouldn't leave your letter-case lying about."
"Idiot that I was! I found what I'd done soon after I'd started, but I was fool enough not to come back for it."