"Why, you're not going to fail?"
"No,—not if the world don't tip over."
"And you're going on with your operations?"
"Yes,—till the wind shifts. It's due east yet."
"Well, I think the ship that carries you is safe enough for me. Make me the notes, and let the operations go on another week."
With an increased respect for his agent, when he found that he could neither humbug nor frighten him, Bullion filled out and signed the notes. Next they reviewed the stock-market, and decided upon the course to be pursued. Bullion then fell into a profound meditation, and did not speak for five minutes, though the busy eyebrow showed that his mind was not lost in vacancy. At last he started up, saying,—
"I must go. But, Fletcher, any reason why you particularly wanted to pay Sandford that thousand, to-day?"
Fletcher turned pale, and his heart rose in his mouth.
"No,—no reason,—that is—he wanted it—I—I was willing to oblige"—
"No matter about reasons," said Bullion, with a quiet air. "I never tread on people's corns. Only when it's wanted let me know. You see he went by the board. He begged me to save him. How could I? I've done enough for other people. Must take care of number one, now. Kerbstone, he begs, too. I shan't help him."