"You engaged me on a three-months' notice, but—"
"But you want to go now?"
"I have a very brilliant position offered me if I can take it up in a fortnight."
"Very well," said Sypher.
"You won't say it's a case of rats deserting a sinking ship, will you, sir? As I say, my wife and family—"
"The ship's sinking. You're quite right to leave it. Is the position offered you in the same line of business?"
"Yes," said Shuttleworth, unable to meet his chief's clear, unsmiling eyes.
"One of the rival firms?"
Shuttleworth nodded, then broke out into mournful asseverations of loyalty. Tithe Cure had flourished he would have stayed with Mr. Sypher till the day of his death. He would have refused the brilliant offer. But in the circumstances—"
"Sauve qui peut," said Sypher. "Another month or two and Sypher's Cure becomes a thing of the past. Nothing can pull it through. I was too sanguine. I wish I had taken your advice oftener, Shuttleworth."