"Of course," said Mr. Prentice, with a touch of pity in his voice, "it's his brothers who have done for him. They have literally sucked him dry. Really, if it wasn't for you, I could almost feel sorry for him. But the dirty tricks he has played you put him out of court."
"I wonder," said Mrs. Marsden, thoughtfully looking into the fire.
"Don't wonder," said Mr. Prentice jovially. "Just wait and see. You won't have long to wait."
"I wish you could find out for certain."
"I am certain.... Well, you always get one's little secrets out of one. I've no right to mention this. But Hyde & Collins recently approached one of my own clients—to find out if he had more money than brains. Coupled with the other information, that clinches it.... I stake my reputation—for what it's worth—that unless Mr. Archibald procures help within the next fortnight, he will have to put up his shutters."
"A fortnight," said Mrs. Marsden absently.
Then they talked of something else, and soon Mr. Prentice bade his hostess good-night.
It had been a pleasant evening for her—a respite from the storm and stress of the days. But when she slept, the respite was immediately over; in dreams she fell back upon doubt and difficulty; in troubled and confused dreams she was desperately fighting for life.