"In plain words, the honor of my church is involved. The check is a bribe. The letter is the graft."
"Nothing of the sort. You come here, a minister of the gospel," Dr. Surtaine reproached him sorrowfully, "and use hard words about a transaction that is perfectly straight business and happens every day."
"Not in my church."
"It isn't your letter, anyhow. You didn't write it."
"It is written on the official paper of the church. Smithson told me so. He didn't understand what use would be made of it when he wrote it. Take your check back, Dr. Surtaine, and give me the letter."
"Persistency, thy name is a jewel," said Dr. Surtaine with an air of scholarliness. "You win. The letter will be returned to-morrow. You'll take my word, I suppose?"
"Certainly; and thank you."
"And now, suppose I offered to leave the check in your hands?" asked the Doctor curiously.
"I couldn't take it," came the decisive reply.
"Do you mind telling me why?"