'But he never stinted me; and that is how the money went.'
'Fiddlesticks! He ordered you a cutter, that don't cost a trifle.'
'But it is not paid for.'
'He was not the man to order when he had not the money in hand wherewith to pay.'
'There were fifteen pounds in a bag in his pocket,' said Jack; 'I know of no more. That will meet the cost of the funeral, but not leave much over.'
Dench went to the window seat, lifted it, and took out a flask of spirits.
'I don't understand. There must be money.'
'To be frank with you,' said Jack, 'I have no faith in money made in the way he has been speculating. It may come in freely, but it runs out again as freely. It is drawing water in a leaky bucket. I have heard Mrs. Marley say that her father died as poor as a rat, and he had been in the business since he was a boy of fifteen. It has been the same with my father.'
'But you have heard him boast that he intended to make a gentleman of you.'
'Yes, precisely because, like a gambler, he reckoned on his next throw being successful.'