Shedidnotwant，andwouldnotknowwhattodowith，abiggershopthanshehad。Anaugmentationofhercapitalwouldbeofnouse，becausetherewasnoroominthecrowdedlittleshopforalargerstockthanitcontained。
　　Shewasentirelysatisfiedwiththedingyhomeoverhead，anddeclinedtothinkevenofmovingelsewhere。
　　Overandoveragainshemethispropositionswithasayingwhichhecouldrecallhavingparticularlyhatedontheirfather'slips，——"It'sillteachinganolddognewtricks。"
　　"Yououghttohavethemtaughtyouwithastick，"
　　hehadtoldherroundly，onthelastoccasion。
　　Shehadmerelyshruggedhergauntshouldersathim。
　　"Youthinkyoucanbullyeverybodyandmakethemcrawltoyou，——butthere'snogoodyourtryingitonwithme，"
　　shehadtoldhim，andhehadpushedhiswayoutoftheshopalmoststampinghisfeet。Itwascleartohimatthatmomentthathewouldneverdarkenherdooragain。
　　Yetnow，onthisafternoonofthetenth，asheloungedwithacigarandaCitypaperinhisapartmentatthehotelafterluncheon，wonderingwhetheritweretoohottoissueforthforawalktothePark，theirrelevantideaofgoingroundtoseehissisterkeptcomingintohismind。
　　Heseatedhimselfandfastenedhisattentionuponthepaper，——butoffitslippedagaintotheoldbook-shop，andtothatcurious，cross-grainedfigure，itsmistress。
　　Heabandonedhimselftothinkingabouther——anddiscoveredthatacertainuniquequalityinherchallengedhisadmiration。
　　Shewastheonlyabsolutelydisinterestedpersonheknew——theonlycreatureintheworld，apparently，whodidnotdesiretomakesomethingoutofhim。Shewasnotatallwell-
　　off，——wasindeedratherpoorthanotherwise，——andherewasheronlybrotheramillionaire，andinherdumbwayshehadasisterlyaffectionforhim，andyetshecouldnotbearguedorcajoledintotouchingapennyofhismoney。
　　Surelytherecouldbenootherwomanlikeher。
　　Thorperealizedthatitwasadistinctiontohavesuchasister，——andbehindthisthoughtroseobscurelythesuggestionthattheremustbewonderfulbloodinaracewhichhadproducedsuchadaughter。Andforthatmatter，suchasontoo！Heliftedhishead，andlookedabstractedlybeforehim，asifheweregazingatsomeapotheosisofhimselfinamirror。
　　Hebeheldallatoncesomethingconcreteandpersonal，obtrudedintotheheartofhisreverie，thesightofwhichdimlyastoundedhim。Forthemoment，withopenedlipshestaredatit，——thenslowlybroughthimselftocomprehendwhathadhappened。Anoldmanhadbysomeoversightofthehotelservantsbeenallowedtoentertheroomunannounced。Hehadwanderedinnoiselessly，andhadmovedinapurblindfashiontothecentreoftheapartment。Thevaguenessoftheexpressiononhisfaceandofhismovementshintedatavacantmindortoomuchdrink，——butThorpegavenothoughttoeitherhypothesis。
　　Thefaceitself——no——yes——itwasthefaceofoldTavender。
　　"InthenameofGod！Whatareyoudoinghere？"Thorpegaspedatthisextraordinaryapparition。Stillstaring，hebegantopushbackhischairandputhisweightuponhisfeet。
　　"Well——Thorpe"——theotherbegan，thrustingforwardhisheadtolookthroughhisspectacles——"soitisyou，afterall。
　　Ididn'tknowwhetherIwasgoingtofindyouornot。
　　Thisplacehasgotsomanyturnsandtwiststoit——"
　　"Butgoodheavens！"interposedthebewilderedThorpe。
　　Hehadrisentohisfeet。Hemechanicallytookthehandwhichtheotherhadextendedtohim。"Whatinhell"——hebegan，andbrokeoffagain。Thearomaofalcoholontheaircaughthissense，andhismindstoppedattheperceptionthatTavenderwasmoreorlessdrunk。Hestrovetospuritforward，tocompelittoencompassthemeaningsofthisnewcrisis，butalmostinvain。
　　"ThoughtI'dlookyouup，"saidtheoldman，buoyantly。
　　"NobodyinLondonI'dratherseethanyou。Howareyou，anyway？"
　　"Whatdidyoucomeoverfor？Whendidyougethere？"
　　Thorpeputthequestionsautomatically。Hisself-controlwasreturningtohim；hiscapablebrainpushedforwardnowundersomethinglikedisciplineddirection。
　　"WhyIguessIoweitalltoyou，"repliedTavender。
　　TracesoftheoldQuakereffectwhichhadbeensocharacteristicofhimstillhungabouthisgarbandmien，butthereshoneanewassuranceonhisbenignant，rubicundface。Prosperityhadvisiblyliberalizedandenheartenedhim。HeshookThorpe'shandagain。
　　"Yes，sir——itmusthavebeenallthroughyou！"herepeated。
　　"Igotmycablethreeweeksago——'HastentoLondon，urgentbusiness，expensesandliberalfeeguaranteed，RubberConsols'——that'swhatthecablesaid，thatis，thefirstoneandofcourseyou'rethemanthatintroducedmetothoserubberpeople。Andsodon'tyouseeIoweitalltoyou？"
　　Hisinsistenceuponhisobligationwassuddenlyalmosttearful。
　　Thorpethoughthardashereplied："Oh——that'sallright。
　　I'mverygladindeedtohavehelpedyoualong。
　　AndsoyoucameoverfortheRubberConsolspeople，eh？Well——that'sgood。Seen'emyet？Youhaven'ttoldmewhenyoulanded。"
　　"CameupfromSouthamptonthismorning。Mybrother-in-lawwasdowntheretomeetme。WecameuptoLondontogether。"
　　"Yourbrother-in-law，"observedThorpe，meditatively。
　　Someshadowy，remoteimpressionofhavingforgottensomethingtroubledhismindforaninstant。"Isyourbrother-in-lawintherubberbusiness？"
　　"Extraor'narything，"explainedTavender，beamingly，"hedon'tknownomoreaboutthewholeaffairthantheman'nthemoon。
　　Iaskedhimtoday——buthecouldn'ttellmeanythingaboutthebusiness——whatitwasI'dbeensentfor，oranything。"
　　"Buthe——heknewyou'dbeensentfor，"Thorpecommenteduponbriefreflection。
　　"Why，hesentthesecondcablehimself——"
　　"Whatsecondcable？"
　　"Whyitwasthenextday，——ormaybeitwassentthatsamenight，andnotdeliveredtillmorning，——I
　　gotanothercable，thistimefrommybrother-in-law，tellingmetocablehimwhatshipIsailedonandwhen。
　　Soofcourseheknewallaboutit——butnowhesayshedon't。He'sacurioussortoffellow，anyway。"
　　"Buthowishemixedupinit？"demandedThorpe，impatiently。
　　"Well，asnearlyasIcanfigureitout，heworksforoneofthementhat'sattheheadofthisrubbercompany。
　　Itappearsthathehappenedtoshowthisman——he'samanoftitle，bytheway——aletterIwrotetohimlastspring，whenIgotbacktoMexico——andsointhatwaythisman，whenhewantedmetocomeover，justtoldGaffersontocabletome。"
　　"Gafferson，"Thorperepeated，veryslowly，andwithalmostaneffectoflistlessness。Hewasconsciousofnosurprise；
　　itwasasifhehaddivinedallalongthesinistershadowsofLordPlowdenandLordPlowden'sgardener，lurkingintheobscuritybehindthisegregiousoldassofaTavender。
　　"He'satremendoushorticulturalsharp，"saidtheother。
　　"Probablyyou'veheardtellofhim。He'stakenmedalsfornewflowersandthingstillyoucan'trest。
　　He'soverat——whatdoyoucallit？——theRoyalAquarium，now，toseetheDahliaShow。Iwentovertherewithhim，butitdidn'tseemtobemykindofashow，andsoIlefthimthere，andI'mtolookinagainforhimat5：30。I'mgoingdowntohisplaceinthecountrywithhimtonight，tomeethisboss——thenoblemanIspokeof。"
　　"That'snice，"Thorpecommented，slowly。"Ienvyanybodywhocangetintothecountrythesedays。ButhowdidyouknowIwashere？""Thewomaninthebook-storetoldme——Iwenttherethefirstthing。YoumightbesureI'dlookyouup。Nobodywaseverabetterfriendthanyou'vebeentome，Thorpe。AnddoyouknowwhatIwantyoutodo？Iwantyoutocomerightbangout，now，andhaveadrinkwithme。"
　　"Iwasthinkingofsomethingofthesortmyself，"
　　thebigmanreplied。"I'llgetmyhat，andbewithyouinaminute。"
　　Inthenextroomherelinquishedhiscountenancetoafrownoffierceperplexity。Morethanaminutepassedinthisscowlingpreoccupation。Thenhisfacelightenedwiththereliefofanidea，andhesteppedconfidentlybackintotheparlour。
　　"Comealong，"hesaid，jovially。"We'llhaveadrinkdownstairs，andthenwe'lldriveuptoHanoverSquareandseeifwecan'tfindafriendofmineathisclub。"
　　Intheofficebelowhestoppedlongenoughtosecureaconsiderablerollofbank-notesinexchangeforacheque。
　　Alittlelater，ahansomdepositedthecoupleatthedooroftheAsianClub，andThorpe，intheouterhallwayofthisinstitution，clickedhisteethinsatisfactionatthenewsthatGeneralKervickwasonthepremises。
　　TheGeneral，havingbeenfoundbyaboyandbroughtdown，extendedtohisguestsahospitalitywhichwasnonethelessurbanefortheevidencesofsurprisewithwhichitwasseasoned。HeconcealedsoindifferentlyhisinabilitytoaccountforTavender，thattheanxiousThorpegrewannoyedwithhim，buthappilyTavender'sperceptionswerelesssubtle。Hegazedabouthiminhisdim-eyedwaywithchildlikeinterest，andbabbledcheerfullyoverhisliquor。HehadnotbeeninsideaLondonclubbefore，andhisglimpseofthereading-room，where，isolated，purple-faced，retiredoldEmpire-makerssatsnortinginthesilence，theirgoutyfeetproppeduponfoot-rests，theirwhitebrowsscowlingoverthepagesofFrenchnovels，particularlyimpressedhim。Itwasanewandhalcyonvisionofthewaytospendone'sdecliningyears。
　　Andthebigsmoking-room——wheretheleathercushionsweresolowandsosoft，andtheconnectionbetweenthebellsandthewaiterswassoefficient——thatwasevenbetter。
　　ThorpepresentlymadeanexcusefortakingKervickapart。
　　"Ibroughtthisoldjackasshereforapurpose，"hesaidinlow，gravelymandatorytones。"Hethinkshe'sgotanappointmentat5：30thisafternoon——buthe'swrong。
　　Hehasn't。He'snotgoingtohaveanyappointmentatall——foralongtimeyet。Iwantyoutogethimdrunk，therewherehesits，andthentakehimawaywithyou，andgethimdrunkerstill，andthentakeatrainwithhimsomewhere——anystationbutCharingCrossorthatline——andIdon'tcarewhereyoulandwithhim——ScotlandorIrelandorFrance——whateveryoulike。Here'ssomemoneyforyou——andyoucanwritetomeformore。Idon'tcarewhatyousaytohim——makeupanyyarnyoulike——onlykeephimpacified，andkeephimawayfromLondon，anddon'tletalivingsoultalktohim——tillIgiveyoutheword。
　　You'llletmeknowwhereyouare。I'llgetawaynow——andmind，General，agooddealdependsonthewayyoupleasemeinthisthing。"
　　Thesoldier'srichly-floridfaceandintent，bulgingblueeyesexpressedvividcomprehension。Henoddedwitheloquenceasheslippedthenotesintohistrouserspocket。
　　"Absolutely，"hemurmuredwithmartialbrevity，fromunderhiswhite，tightmoustache。
　　WithonlyavaguewordortwoofmeaninglessexplanationtoTavender，Thorpetookhisdeparture，andwalkedbacktothehotel。Fromwhathehadlearnedandsurmised，itwasnotdifficulttoputthepiecesofthepuzzletogether。
　　Thisridiculousoldfool，herememberednow，hadreproachedhimself，whenhewasinEnglandbefore，forhisuncivilneglectofhisbrother-in-law。Bysomeabsurdchance，thisdamnedbrother-in-lawhappenedtobeGafferson。
　　Itwasclearenoughthat，whenhereturnedtoMexico，TavenderhadwrittentoGafferson，explainingtheunexpectedpressureofbusinesswhichhadtakenupallhistimeinEngland。Probablyhehadbeenidiotenoughtorelatewhatheofcourseregardedasthemostwonderfulpieceofgoodnews——howtheworthlessconcessionhehadbeendeludedintobuyinghadbeenboughtbackfromhim。
　　Aslikelyasnothehadevenidentifiedtheconcession，andgivenThorpe'snameasthatofthemanwhohadfirstimpoverishedandthenmysteriouslyenrichedhim。Atallevents，hehadclearlymentionedthathehadacommissiontoreportupontheRubberConsolsproperty，andhadsaidenoughelsetocreatetheimpressionthattherewerecriminalsecretsconnectedwithitssaletotheLondonCompany。
　　Therestwaseasy。Gafferson，knowingLordPlowden'srelationtotheCompany，hadshownhimTavender'sletter。
　　LordPlowden，meditatinguponit，hadseenawaytobenasty——andhadvindictivelyplungedintoit。HehadbroughtTavenderfromMexicotoLondon，tousehimasaweapon。
　　Allthiswasasobviousasthenoseonone'sface。
　　Butaweaponforwhat？Thorpe，asthisquestionputitselfinhismind，haltedbeforeashop-windowfullofsoft-huedsilkfabrics，tomuseuponananswer。
　　Thedelicatetintsandsurfacesofwhatwasbeforehiseyesseemedsomehowtoconnectthemselveswiththesubject。
　　Plowdenhimselfwasdelicately-tintedandrefinedoftexture。
　　Vindictivenesswastooplainandcoarseanemotiontoswaysuchacomplicatedandpolishedorganism。
　　Hereasoneditout，ashestoodwithlack-lustregazebeforetheplate-glassfront，aloofamongathrongofeagerandtalkativewomenwhopressedaroundhim——thatPlowdenwouldnothavespenthismoneyonamereimpulseofmischief-making。Hewouldbecountinguponsomethingmoretangiblethanrevenge——somethingthatcouldbecountedandweighedandconvertedintoabank-balance。Hesmiledwhenhereachedthisconclusion——greatlysurprisingandconfusingamatronlyladyintowhosecorrectfacehechancedtobelookingattheinstant——andturningslowly，continuedhiswalk。
　　Attheofficeofthehotel，hemuchregrettednothavingdriveninstead，forhelearnedthatSemplehadtwicetelephonedfromtheCityforhim。Itwaslateintheafternoon——henotedwithsatisfactionthattheclockshowedittobealreadypastthehouroftheTavender-Gaffersonappointment，——buthehadSemple'sofficecalledup，uponthechancethatsomeonemightbethere。Theclerkhadnotconsumedmorethantenminutesinthepreliminariesoffindingoutthatnoonewasthere——ThorpemeanwhilepassingsavagecommentstotheotherclerksabouttheBritishofficialconceptionofthetelephoneasaninstrumentofdisciplineandhumiliation——whenSemplehimselfappearedinthedoorway。
　　TheBrokergaveanexclamationofreliefatseeingThorpe，andthen，apparentlyindifferenttothedisplayofexcitementhewasexhibiting，drewhimaside。
　　"Comesomewherewherewecantalk，"hewhisperednervously。
　　ThorpehadneverseenthelittleScotchmaninsuchaflurry。
　　"We'llgouptomyrooms，"hesaid，andledthewaytothelift。
　　Upstairs，Sempleboltedthedoorofthesitting-roombehindthem，andsatisfiedhimselfthattherewasnooneintheadjoiningbedroom。Then，unburdeninghimselfwithanothersigh，hetossedasidehishat，andlookedkeenlyupatthebigman。"There'sthedeviltopay，"
　　hesaidbriefly。
　　Thorpehadafleetingprideinthelethargic，composedfronthewasabletopresent。"Allright，"
　　hesaidwithforcedplacidity。"Ifhe'sgottobepaid，we'llpayhim。"Hecontinuedtosmilealittle。
　　"It'snahjoke，"theotherhastenedtowarnhim。
　　"Ihaveitfromtwodifferentquarters。AnapplicationhasbeenmadetotheStockExchangeCommittee，thisafternoon，tointerveneandstopourbusiness，onthegroundoffraud。
　　Itcomesverrastraighttome。"
　　ThorperegardedhisBrokercontemplatively。Thenewsfittedwithprecisionintowhathehadpreviouslyknown；
　　itwasrenderedaltogetherharmlessbytheprecautionshehadalreadytaken。"Well，keepyourhairon，"
　　hesaid，quietly。"Iftherewerefiftyapplications，theywouldn'tmattertheworthofthatsoda-watercork。
　　Won'tyouhaveadrink？"
　　Semple，uponreflection，saidhewould。Theunmovedequipoiseofthebigmanvisiblyreassuredhim。Hesippedathisbubblingtumblerandsmackedhisthinlips。
　　"Man，I'vehadanawfulfright，"hesaidatlast，inthetoneofonewhoseeaseofmindisreturning。
　　"Igaveyoucreditformorenerve，"observedtheother，eyeinghiminnotunkindlyfashionoverhisglass。
　　"You'vebeensoplumbfullofsandallthewhile——Ididn'tthinkyou'dweakennow。Why，we'rewithintwodaysofhome，now——andforyoutogetrattledatthislatehour——yououghttobeashamedofyourself"
　　TheScotchmanlookedintothebottomofhisglass，asheturneditthoughtfullyround。"I'mrelievedtoseethewayyoutakeit，"hesaid，afterapause。
　　Withincreasedhesitationhewentdrylyon："I'veneverenquiredminutelyintothecircumstancesoftheflotation。
　　Ithasnotseemedtobemybusinesstodoso，anduponadviceImaysaythattheCommitteewouldnotholdthatsuchwasmybusiness。Mypositionisquiteclear，uponthatpoint。"
　　"Oh，perfectly，"Thorpeassented。"Itcouldn'tpossiblybeanyofyourbusiness——eitherthen，ornow。"Hegaveasignificanttouchofemphasistotheselasttwowords。
　　"Precisely，"saidSemple，withaglanceofswiftcomprehension。
　　"YoumustnotthinkIamaskinganyintrusivequestions。
　　Ifyoutellmethat——thatthereisnogroundforuneasiness——I
　　amverrapleasedindeedtoaccepttheassurance。
　　Thatisampleinformationformypurposes。"
　　"Youcantakeitfromme，"Thorpetoldhim。Hepickeduparedbookfromasidetable，andturnedoveritspageswithhisthickthumb。"ThisiswhatRule59says，"
　　hewenton："'NOAPPLICATIONWHICHHASFORITSOBJECTTO
　　ANNULANYBARGAININTHESTOCKEXCHANGESHALLBEENTERTAINED
　　BYTHECOMMITTEE，UNLESSUPONASPECIFICALLEGATIONOF
　　FRAUDORWILFULMISREPRESENTATION。'Shallbeentertained，d'yesee？Theycan'tevenconsideranythingofthesort，becauseitsays'specific，'andItellyouplainlythatanything'specific'isentirelyoutofthequestion。"
　　TheBrokerliftedhissandybrowsinmomentaryapprehension。
　　"Ifitturnsupontheprecisedefinitionofaword，"
　　heremarked，doubtingly。
　　"Ah，yes，——butitdoesn't，"Thorpereassuredhim。
　　"Seehere——I'lltellyousomething。You'renotaskinganyquestions。That'sasitshouldbe。AndI'mnotforcinginformationuponyouwhichyoudon'tneedinyourbusiness。
　　That'sasitshouldbe，too。Butinbetweenthesetwo，there'sacertainmarginoffactsthatthere'snoharminyourknowing。Aschemetoblackmailmeisonfoot。
　　It'sratherafool-scheme，ifyouaskme，butitmighthavebeenanuisanceifithadbeensprungonusunawares。
　　Ithappened，however，thatItwiggedthisschemeabouttwohoursago。Itwasthedamnedestbitofluckyoueverheardof——"
　　"Youdon'thaveluck，"putinSemple，appreciatively。
　　"Othermenhaveluck。Youhavesomethingelse——Idon'tgiveitaname。"
　　Thorpesmileduponhim，andwenton。"Itwiggedit，anyway。
　　Iwentout，andIdrovethebiggestkindofspikethroughthatfool-scheme——plumbthroughitsheart。
　　Tomorrowacertainmanwillcometome——oh，Icouldalmosttellyouthekindofneck-tiehe'llwear——andhe'llputuphisblufftome，andI'llhearhimout——andthen——thenI'llletthefloordropoutfromunderhim。"
　　"Aye！"saidSemple，withrelish。
　　"Stayanddinewithmetonight，"Thorpeimpulsivelysuggested，"andwe'llgotosomeMusicHallafterward。There'saknock-aboutpantomimeoutfitattheCanterbury——MartinettiIthinkthenameis——that'sdamnedgood。Yougetplentyoflaugh，andnotiresomeblabtolistento。TheolderIget，themoreIthinkofpeoplethatkeeptheirmouthsshut。"
　　"Aye，"observedSempleagain。
　　CHAPTERXX
　　INtheBoardRoom，nextday，ThorpeawaitedthecomingofLordPlowdenwiththesereneconfidenceofaprophetwhonotonlyknowsthatheisinspired，buthashadanillicitglimpseintotheworkingsofthemachineryofevents。
　　Hesatmotionlessathisdesk，likeabigspiderforwhotimehasnomeaning。Beforehimlaytwonewspapers，foldedsoastoexposeparagraphsheavilyindicatedbybluepencil-marks。Theywerenotfinancialjournals，andforthatreasonitwasimprobablethathewouldhaveseentheseparagraphs，iftheSecretaryoftheCompanyhadnotmarkedthem，andbroughtthemtohim。
　　Thatofficialhadbeenvastlymoreflutteredbythemthanhefounditpossibletobe。Inslightly-varyinglanguage，thesetwoitemsembeddedinso-calledmoneyarticlesreportedtherumourthatachargeoffraudhadariseninconnectionwiththeRubberConsolscorner，andthatsensationaldisclosureswerebelievedtobeimpending。
　　Thorpelookedwithadulled，abstractedeyeatthesepapers，lyingonthedesk，andespeciallyatthebluepencil-linesuponthem，asheponderedmanythings。Theirstatement，thusscatteredbroadcasttothepublic，seemedatoncetointroduceanewelementintothesituation，andtoleaveitunchanged。Thatinfluenceofsomesorthadbeenexertedtogetthisstoryintothesepapers，itdidnotoccurtohimforaninstanttodoubt。
　　Tohisview，allthingsthatwereputintopaperswereputthereforapurpose——itwouldexpresshisnotionmoreclearly，perhaps，tosayforaprice。
　　OfthemethodsofFleetStreet，hewasprofoundlyignorant，buthisimpressionsofthemwereallcynical。
　　Uponreflection，however，itseemedunlikelytohimthatLordPlowdenhadsecuredtheinsertionoftheserumours。
　　SofarasThorpecouldfathomthatnobleman'sgame，itsaimswouldnotbeservedbyprematurepublicityofthiskind。
　　Gradually，theoutlinesofamoreprobablecombinationtookshapeinhisthoughts。Therewereleftinthegripofthe"corner"nowonlytwovictims，——RostockerandAronson。
　　Theyowedthisinvidiousdifferentiationtoanumberofcauses：theyhadbeenthechiefsellersofstock，beingbetweenthemresponsibleforthedeliveryof8，500RubberConsolsshares，whichtheycouldnotget；
　　theyweremenoflargerfortunethantheother"shorts，"
　　andthereforecouldwithsafetybesqueezedlongest；
　　whatwasfortunateforhimunderthecircumstances，theywerethetwomenagainstwhomThorpe'spersonalgrudgeseemedabletomaintainitselfmosteasily。
　　Forthesereasons，theyhadalreadybeenmulctedindifferencestotheextentof，inroundnumbers，165，000pounds。
　　Onthemorrow，thetwelfthofSeptember，itwasThorpe'splantoallowthemtobuyinthesharestheyneeded，at22or23poundspershare——whichwouldtakefromthemnearly200，000poundsmore。Hehadsatisfiedhimselfthattheycould，andwouldifnecessary，paythisenormousransomfortheirfinalescapefromthe"corner。"Partlybecauseitwasnotsocertainthattheycouldpaymore，partlybecausehewassatiatedwithspoilsandtiredofthestrainofthebusiness，hehaddecidedtopermitthisescape。
　　Herealizednow，however，thattheyontheirsidehadplannedtoescapewithoutpayinganyfinalransomatall。
　　Thatwasclearlythemeaningoftheseparagraphs，andoftherepresentationswhichhadyesterdaybeenmadetotheStockExchangeCommittee。Hehadadditionalknowledgetodayofthecharacteroftheserepresentations。
　　Nothingdefinitehadbeenalleged，butsomeofthemembersoftheCommitteehadbeeninformallynotified，soSemplehadthismorninglearned，thataspecificchargeoffraud，supportedbyunanswerableproof，wastobebroughtagainsttheRubberConsolsmanagementonthemorrow。
　　Thorpereasonedoutnow，stepbystep，whatthatmeant。
　　LordPlowdenhadsoughtoutRostockerandAronson，andhadtoldthemthathehaditinhispowerignominiouslytobreakthe"corner。"Hecouldhardlyhavetoldthemtheexactnatureofhispower，becauseuntilheshouldhaveseenTavenderhedidnothimselfknowwhatitwas。Buthehadgiventhemtounderstandthathecouldprovefraud，andthey，scentinginthisthechanceofsaving200，000pounds，andseeingthattimewassoterriblyshort，hadhastenedtotheCommitteemenwiththisvaguedeclarationthat，onthemorrow，theycouldprove——theydidnotpreciselyknowwhat。Yes——plainlyenough——thatwaswhathadhappened。
　　AnditwouldbethesetwoJew"wreckers，"eagertoinvesttheirspeculativenotificationtotheCommitteewithasmuchofanairofformalityaspossible，whohadcausedtheallusionstoittobepublishedinthesepapers。
　　Thorpe'slustrelesseyesuddenlytwinkledwithmirthashereachedthisconclusion；hisheavyfacebrightenedintoagrinofdelight。AvisionofLordPlowden'sabsurdpredicamentrosevividlybeforehim，andhechuckledaloudatit。
　　Itseemedonlythemostnaturalthingintheworldthat，atthisinstant，aclerkshouldopenthedoorandnodwithmeaningtothemaster。Thevisitorwhomhehadwarnedthepeopleintheouterofficeheexpected，hadarrived。
　　ThorpewasstilllaughingtohimselfwhenLordPlowdenentered。
　　"Hallo！Howd'yedo！"hecalledouttohimfromwherehesatathisdesk。
　　Thehilarityofthemannerintowhichhehadbeenbetrayed，upontheinstantsurprisedandratherconfusedhim。
　　HehadnotbeenaltogetherclearastohowheshouldreceivePlowden，butcertainlyawarmjovialityhadnotoccurredtohimasappropriate。
　　Thenoblemanwasevenmoretakenaback。Hestaredmomentarilyatthebigman'sbeamingmask，andthen，withnervousawkwardness，executedaseriesofchangesinhisownfacialexpressionanddemeanour。Heflushedred，openedhislipstosay"Ah！"andthentwistedthemintoadoubtingandseeminglypainfulsmile。Helookedwithverybright-eyedintentnessatThorpe，asheadvanced，andsomewhatspasmodicallyputouthishand。
　　ItoccurredtoThorpenottoseethishand。"Howareyou！"
　　herepeatedinamoremechanicalvoice，andwithdrewhissmile。LordPlowdenfidgetedonhisfeetforabrief，embarrassedintervalbeforethedesk，andthendroppedintoachairatitsside。Withadeliberateeffortatnonchalance，hecrossedhislegs，andcaressedtheankleonhiskneewithacarelesshand。"Anythingnew？"
　　heasked。
　　Thorpelolledbackinhisarm-chair。"I'mgoingtobeabletogetawayinafewdays'time，"hesaid，indifferently。
　　"IexpecttofinallywindupthebusinessontheStockExchangetomorrow。"
　　"Ah——yes，"commentedPlowden，vacantly。Heseemedtobesearchingafterthoughtswhichhadwanderedastray。
　　"Yes——ofcourse。"
　　"Yes——ofcourse，"Thorpesaidafterhim，withalatenttouchofsignificance。
　　Theotherlookedupquickly，thenglancedawayagain。
　　"It'sallgoingasyouexpected，isit？"heasked。
　　"BetterthanIexpected，"Thorpetoldhim，energetically。
　　"Muchbetterthananybodyexpected。"
　　"Hah！"saidPlowden。Afteramoment'sreflectionhewentonhesitatingly："Ididn'tknow。Isawsomethinginoneofthepapersthismorning，——oneofthemoneyarticles，——whichspokeasifthereweresomedoubtabouttheresult。
　　That'swhyIcalled。"
　　"Well——it'sdamnedgoodofyoutocomeround，andshowsuchafriendlyinterest。"Thorpe'svoiceseemedcandidenough，buttherewasanenigmaticsomethinginhisglancewhicharousedtheother'sdistrust。
　　"I'mafraidyoudon'ttakeverymuchstockinthe'friendlyinterest，'"hesaid，withaconstrainedlittlelaugh。
　　"I'mnottakingstockinanythingnewjustnow，"
　　repliedThorpe，lendinghimselflazilytotheother'smetaphor。
　　"I'mloadeduptothegunnelsalready。"
　　Aminuteofratheroppressivesilenceensued。
　　ThenPlowdenventureduponanopening。"Allthesame，itWASwithanideaof，——perhapsbeingofusetoyou，——
　　thatIcamehere，"heaffirmed。"Inwhatway？"Thorpeputthequeryalmostlistlessly。
　　LordPlowdenturnedhishandsandlethisdarkeyessparkleinagestureofamiableuncertainty。
　　"Thatdependeduponwhatwasneeded。Igottheimpressionthatyouwereintrouble——thepaperspokeasiftherewerenodoubtofit——andIimaginedthatquiteprobablyyouwouldbegladtotalkwithmeaboutit。"
　　"Quiteright，"saidThorpe。"SoIshould。"
　　Thiscomprehensiveassuranceseemednot，however，tofacilitateconversation。Thenoblemanlookedatthepatternofthesockontheanklehewasnursing，andknittedhisbrowsinperplexity。"WhatiftheCommitteeoftheStockExchangedecidetointerfere？"heaskedatlast。
　　"Oh，thatwouldknockmesky-high，"Thorpeadmitted。
　　"Approximately，howmuchmayonetake'sky-high'tomean？"
　　Thorpeappearedtocalculate。"Almostanythinguptoaquarterofamillion，"heanswered。
　　"Hah！"saidLordPlowdenagain。"Well——Iunderstand——
　　I'mgiventounderstand——thatverylikelythatiswhattheCommitteewilldecide。"
　　"Doesitsaythatinthepapers？"askedThorpe。
　　Heessayedaneffectofconcern。"Wheredidyouseethat？"
　　"Ididn'tseeit，"theotherexplained。"It——itcametome。"
　　"God！"saidThorpe。"That'llbeawful！Butareyoureallyinearnest？Isthatwhatyouhear？Anddoesitcomeatallstraight？"
　　LordPlowdennoddedportentously。"Absolutelystraight，"
　　hesaid，withgravity。
　　Thorpe，afteramomentarystareofwhatlookedlikebewilderment，wasseentoclutchatastraw。"Butwhatwasityouweresaying？"hedemanded，witheagerness。
　　"Youtalkedabouthelp——aminuteago。Didyoumeanit？Haveyougotaplan？Istheresomethingthatyoucando？"
　　Plowdenweighedhiswords。"Itwouldbenecessarytohaveaverycompleteunderstanding，"heremarked。
　　"Whateveryoulike，"exclaimedtheother。
　　"Pardonme——itwouldhavetobeagooddealmoredefinitethanthat，"Plowdendeclared。"A'burntchild'——youknow。"
　　Thebigmantappedmusinglywithhisfinger-nailsonthedesk。"Wewon'tquarrelaboutthat，"hesaid。
　　"ButwhatI'dliketoknowfirst，——youneedn'tgiveanythingawaythatyoudon'twantto，——butwhat'syourplan？Yousaythatthey'vegotmeinahole，andthatyoucangetmeout。""Ineffect——yes。"
　　"ButhowdoyouknowthatIcan'tgetmyselfout？Whatdoyouknowaboutthewholethinganyway？SupposingI
　　tellyouthatIlaughatit——thatthere'snomoregroundforraisingthesuspicionoffraudthanthereisfor——forsuspectingthatyou'vegotwingsandcanfly。"
　　"I——Idon'tthinkyou'lltellmethat，"saidPlowden，placidly。
　　"Wellthen，supposingIdon'ttellyouthat，"
　　theotherresumed，argumentatively。"SupposingIsayinsteadthatitcan'tbeproved。IftheCommitteedoesn'thaveproofNOW，——withintwenty-oneortwenty-twohours，——
　　theycan'tdoanythingatail。Tomorrowissettlingday。
　　Allalong，I'vesaidIwouldwindupthethingtomorrow。
　　Themarket-pricehasbeenmadeformebythejobbersyesterdayandtoday。I'mallreadytoendthewholebusinesstomorrow——closeitallout。Andafterthat'sdone，whatdoIcareabouttheStockExchangeCommittee？Theycaninvestigateandbedamned！Whatcouldtheydotome？"
　　"Ithinkamancanalwaysbearrestedandindicted，andsenttopenalservitude，"saidLordPlowden，withacertainsolemnityoftone。"Thereareevenwell-knowninstancesofextradition。"
　　Thorpeburiedhischindeepinhiscollar，andregardedhiscompanionwithafixedgaze，inwhichthelatterdetectedsignsoftrepidation。"ButabouttheCommittee——andtomorrow，"hesaidslowly。"Whatdoyousayaboutthat？Howcantheyactinthatlightningfashion？
　　Andevenifproofscouldbegot，howdoyousupposetheyaretobegotonthedropofthehat，ataminute'snotice？"
　　"Thecaseisofsufficientimportancetowarrantaspecialmeetingtomorrowmorning，"theotherrejoined。
　　"Onehour'snotice，postedintheHouse，issufficient，Ibelieve。AnythreemembersoftheCommitteecancallsuchameeting，andIunderstandthatsevenmakeaquorum。
　　Youwillseethatameetingcouldbeheldatnoontomorrow，andwithinhalfanhourcouldmakeyouaruinedman。"
　　"Idon'tknow——wouldyoucallitquiteruined？"
　　commentedThorpe。"Ishouldstillhaveafewsovereignstogoonwith。"
　　"Acriminalprosecutionwouldbepracticallyinevitable——aftersuchadisclosure，"Plowdenremindedhim，withaugmentedseverityoftone。
　　"Don'tmixthetwothingsup，"theotherurged。
　　Thereseemedtothelistenertobesupplicationinthevoice。
　　"It'stheactionoftheCommitteethatyousaidyoucouldinfluence。That'swhatweweretalkingabout。
　　Yousaytherewillbeaspecialmeetingatnoontomorrow——
　　"Isaidtherecouldbeone，"Plowdencorrectedhim。
　　"Allright。ThereCANbeone。Anddoyousaythattherecanbeproof，——proofagainstmeoffraud，——producedatthatmeeting？"
　　"Yes——Isaythat，"thenoblemanaffirmed，quietly。
　　"Andfurtherstill——doyousaythatitrestswithyouwhetherthatproofshallbeproducedornot？"
　　LordPlowdenlookedintotheimpassive，deep-eyedgazewhichcoveredhim，andlookedawayfromitagain。
　　"Ihaven'tputitinjustthatform，"hesaid，hesitatingly。
　　"Butinessentials——yes，thatmaybetakenastrue。"
　　"Andwhatisyourfigure？Howmuchdoyouwantforholdingthisproofofyoursback，andlettingmefinishscoopingthemoneyofyourHebrewfriendsAronsonandRostocker？"
　　Thepeerraisedhishead，andshotakeenlyenquiringglanceattheother。"Aretheymyfriends？"heasked，withchallenginginsolence。
　　"I'mboundtoassumethatyouhavebeendealingwiththem，justasyouaredealingwithme。"Thorpeexplainedhismeaningdispassionately，asifthetransactionwereentirelycommonplace。"Youtellthemthatyou'reinapositiontoproduceproofagainstme，andaskthemwhatthey'llgiveforit。Thennaturallyenoughyoucometome，andaskwhatI'llbewillingtopaytohavetheproofsuppressed。
　　IquiteunderstandthatImustbidagainstthesemen——andofcourseItakeitforgrantedthat，sinceyouknowtheirfigure，you'vearrangedinyourmindwhatmineistobe。Iquiteunderstand，too，thatIamtopaymorethantheyhaveoffered。Thatisonaccountof'friendlyinterest。'"
　　"Sinceyoualludetoit，"LordPlowdenobserved，withacertaincalmloftinessoftone，"thereisnoharminsayingthatyouWILLpaysomethingonthatoldscore。
　　Onceyouthrustthepromiseofsomethinglikeahundredthousandpoundspositivelyuponme。Youinsistedonmybelievingit，andIdidso，likeafool。Icametoyoutoredeemthepromise，andyoulaughedinmyface。
　　Verywell。Itismyturnnow。Iholdthewhip-hand，andI
　　shouldbeanassnottorememberthings。Ishallwantthatentireonehundredthousandpoundsfromyou，andfiftythousandaddedtoit'onaccountofthe'friendlyinterest，'
　　asyousointelligentlyexpressedit。"
　　Thorpe'schinburrowedstilldeeperuponhisbreast。
　　"It'sanoutrage，"hesaidwithfeeling。Thenheadded，intonesofdejectedresignation："Whenwillyouwantit？"
　　"AtthemomentwhenthepaymentsofRostockerandAronsonaremadetoyou，ortoyourbankersoragents，"LordPlowdenreplied，withpreparedfacility。Hehadevidentlygivenmuchthoughttothispartoftheproceedings。"AndofcourseIshallexpectyoutodrawupnowanagreementtothateffect。
　　Ihappentohaveastampedpaperwithmethistime。
　　Andifyoudon'tmind，wewillhaveitproperlywitnessed——
　　thistime。"
　　Thorpelookedathimwithadisconcertinglyleadenstare，thewhilehethoughtoverwhathadbeenproposed。
　　"That'srightenough，"heannouncedatlast，"butIshallexpectyoutodosomewritingtoo。Sincewe'redealingonthisbasis，theremustbenodoubtabouttheguaranteethatyouwillperformyourpartofthecontract。"
　　"Theperformanceitself，sincepaymentisconditionaluponit——"beganPlowden，buttheotherinterruptedhim。
　　"No，Iwantsomethingbetterthanthat。Here——givemeyourstampedpaper。"Hetookthebluishsheet，and，withouthesitation，wroteseverallinesrapidly。"Here——thisismypromise，"
　　hesaid，"topayyou150，000pounds，uponyoursatisfactoryperformanceofacertainundertakingtobeseparatelynominatedinadocumentcalled'A，'whichwewilljointlydrawupandagreetoandsign，anddepositwhereveryoulike——forsafekeeping。Now，ifyou'llsithere，andwriteoutformeasimilarthing——thatinconsiderationofmypromiseof150，000pounds，youcovenanttoperformtheundertakingtobenominatedinthedocument'A'——andsoon。"
　　LordPlowdentreatedasamatterofcoursethereadyandbusiness-likesuggestionoftheother。Takinghisplaceatthedeskinturn，hewroteoutwhathadbeensuggested。
　　Thorpetouchedabell，andtheclerkwhocameinperfunctorilyattestedthesignaturesuponbothpapers。
　　Eachprincipalfoldedandpocketedthepledgeoftheother。
　　"Now，"saidThorpe，whenhehadseatedhimselfagainatthedesk，"weareallrightsofarasprotectionagainsteachothergoes。Ifyoudon'tmind，Iwilldrawupasuggestionofwhattheseparatedocument'A'shouldsetforth。Ifyoudon'tlikeit，youcanwriteone。"
　　Hetookmoretimetothistask，frowninglaboriouslyoverthefreshsheetoffoolscap，andscreeningfromobservationwithhishandwhathewaswriting。Finally，thetaskseemedfinishedtohismind。Hetookupthepaper，glancedthroughitoncemore，andhandeditinsilencetotheother。
　　Insilencealso，andwithanexpressionofarrestedattention，LordPlowdenreadtheselines：
　　"Theundertakingreferredtointhetwodocumentsofevendate，signedrespectivelybyLordPlowdenandStormontThorpe，istotheeffectthatatsomehourbetweenelevenA。M。
　　andthreeP。M。ofSeptember12th，instant，LordPlowdenshallproducebeforeaspecialmeetingoftheCommitteeoftheStockExchange，thepersonofoneJeromeP。Tavender，toexplaintosaidCommitteehisshareintheblackmailingschemeofwhichLordPlowden，overhisownsignature，hasfurnisheddocumentaryevidence。"
　　Thenoblemancontinuedtolookdownatthepaper，afterthepowertoholditwithoutshakinghadlefthishand。
　　Therecameintohisface，minglingwithandvitiatingitsrichnaturalhuesofhealth，akindofgreyshadow。
　　Itwasasifclaywasrevealingitselfbeneathfadedpaint。
　　Hedidnotlifthiseyes。
　　Thorpehadbeenpreparedtohailthisconsummationofhistrickwithboisterousandscornfulmirth。
　　Evenwhilethevictimwasdecipheringthefatalpaper，hehadrestrainedwithimpatiencethedesiretoburstoutintobitterlaughter。ButnowtherewassomethingintheaspectofPlowden'scollapsewhichseemedtoforbidtriumphantderision。Hewastakinghisblowsolikeagentleman，——ashen-paleandquivering，butclingingtoahigh-breddignityofsilence，——thattheimpulsetoexhibitequallygoodmannerspossessedThorpeupontheinstant。
　　"Well——youseehowlittlebusinessyou'vegot，settingyourselftobuckagainstagrown-upman。"
　　Heofferedtheobservationinthetoneoftheschool-
　　teacher，affectedlyphilosophicalbutsecretlyjubilant，whoharanguesadefeatedandhumiliatedurchinuponhisfolly。
　　"Oh，chuckit！"growledLordPlowden，staringstillatthecalamitouspaper。
　　Thorpeacceptedingoodparttheintimationthatsilencewasafterallmostdecorous。Heputhisfeetuponthecornerofthedesk，andtippingbackhischair，surveyedthediscomfitedViscountimpassively。
　　Heforboreeventosmile。
　　"SothisswineofaTavendercamestraighttoyou！"
　　LordPlowdenhadfoundwordsatlast。Ashespoke，heliftedhisface，andmadeashowoflookingtheotherintheeye。
　　"Oh，thereareahundredthingsinyourowngame，even，thatyouhaven'taninklingof，"Thorpetoldhim，lightly。"I'vebeenwatchingeverymoveyou'vemade，seeingfurtheraheadinyourowngamethanyoudid。
　　Why，itwastooeasy！Itwaslikeplayingdraughtswithagirl。Iknewyouwouldcometoday，forexample。
　　ItoldthepeopleouttherethatIexpectedyou。"
　　"Yes-s，"saidtheother，withruefulbewilderment。
　　"Youseemtohavebeenratheronthespot——Iconfess。"
　　"Onthespot？Allovertheplace！"Thorpeliftedhimselfslightlyinhischair，andputmoreanimationintohisvoice。
　　"It'sthemistakeyoupeoplemake！"hedeclaredoracularly。
　　"YouthinkthatamancancomeintotheCitywithoutapenny，andformgreatcombinationsandcarrythroughagreatscheme，andwageafightwiththesmartestsetofscoundrelsontheLondonStockExchangeandbeat'em，andmakeforhimselfabigfortune——andstillbeafool！Youimaginethatamanlikethatcanbeplayedwith，andhoodwinkedbyamateurslikeyourself。It'stooridiculous！"
　　TheperceptionthatapparentlyThorpeborelittleornomalicehadbeguntospreadthroughPlowden'sconsciousness。
　　Itwasalmostmoresurprisingtohimthantherevelationofhisfailurehadbeen。Heaccustomedhimselftothethoughtgradually，andashedidsothecouragecreptbackintohisglance。Hebreathedmoreeasily。
　　"Youareright！"headmitted。Itcosthimnothingtogiveamaximumoffervidconvictiontothetoneofhiswords。
　　Thebigbrute'sprideinhisownbrainsandpowerwasstillhisweakestpoint。"Youareright！Ididplaythefool。
　　Anditwasallthemorestupid，becauseIwasthefirstmaninLondontorecognizetheimmenseforcesinyou。
　　Isaidtoyouattheveryoutset，'Youaregoingtogofar。
　　Youaregoingtobeagreatman。'Yourememberthat，don'tyou？"
　　Thorpenodded。"Yes——Irememberit。"
　　Thenobleman，uponreflection，drewalittlesilverboxfromhispocket，andextractedamatch。"Doyoumind？"
　　heasked，andscarcelywaitingforatokenofreply，struckaflameuponthesoleofhisshoe，andappliedittothesheetoffoolscaphestillheldinhishand。
　　Thetwomenwatcheditcurlandblackenafterithadbeentossedinthegrate，withoutaword。
　　ThisincidenthadtheeffectofrecallingtoThorpetheessentialsofthesituation。Hehadallowedthetalktodrifttoapointwhereitbecamealmostaffable。
　　Hesatuprightwithasuddendetermination，andputhisfeetfirmlyonthefloor，andknittedhisbrowsinausterity。
　　"Itwasnotonlyadirtytrickthatyoutriedtoplayme，"hesaid，inanaltered，harshtone，"butitwasafool-trick。ThatdrunkenoldbumofaTavenderwritessomelunaticnonsenseorothertoGafferson，andhe'saworseidioteventhanTavenderis，andonthestrengthofwhatoneoftheseclownsthinkshesurmisestheotherclownmeans，yougoandspendyourmoney，——moneyI
　　gaveyou，bytheway，——inbringingTavenderoverhere。
　　Youdothisonthedoublechance，we'llsay，ofusinghimagainstmeforrevengeandprofitcombined，orofpeddlinghimtomeforastillbiggerprofit。
　　Youseeit'sallatmyfingers'ends。"
　　LordPlowdennoddedanunqualifiedassent。
　　"Wellthen——Tavenderarrives。Whatdoyoudo？Areyouatthewharftomeethim？Haveyousaidtoyourself：'I'vesetouttofightoneofthesmartestandstrongestmeninEngland，andI'vegottokeepeveryatomofwitsaboutme，andstraineverynervetotheutmost，andwatcheverypointofthegameasatigerwatchesasnake'？Notabitofit！
　　Yousnoozeinbed，andyousendGafferson——Gafferson！——themud-headoftheearth！tomeetyourTavender，andloafaboutwithhiminLondon，andbringhimdownbyaslowtraintoyourplaceintheevening。MyGod！You'veonlygottwocleardayslefttodothewholethingin——andyoudon'tevencomeuptotowntogetreadyforthem！YousendGafferson——andhegoesofftoseeaflower-show——
　　MotherofMoses！thinkofit！aFLOWER-show！——andyourTavenderaudIarelefttotakeastrolltogether，andtalkoveroldtimesandarrangeaboutnewtimes，andsoon，toourhearts'content。Really，it'stooeasy！Youmakemetired！"
　　Thenoblemanofferedawan，appealingshadowofasmile。
　　"Iconfesstoacertaindegreeofwearinessmyself，"
　　hesaid，humbly。
　　Thorpelookedathiminhisoldapathetic，leadenfashionforalittle。"ImaytellyouthatifyouHADgotholdofTavender，"hedecidedtotellhim，"heshouldn'thavebeenofthefaintestusetoyou。IknowwhatitwasthathewrotetoGafferson，——Icouldn'tunderstanditwhenhefirsttoldme，butafterwardsIsawthroughit，——anditwasmerelyamaudlinmisapprehensionofhis。
　　He'dgotthreeorfourthingsallmixeduptogether。
　　You'venevermetyourfriendTavender，Ibelieve？You'denjoyhimatHadlowHouse。Hesmellsofrumahundredyardsoff。Whatlittlebrainhe'sgotleftissoakedinit。
　　ThefirsttimeIwasevercampingwithhim，Ihadtolickhimfordrinkingthemethylatedspiritswewereusingwithourtinstove。Oh，you'dhavelikedhim！"
　　"Evidently，"saidLordPlowden，uponreflection，"itwasallamostunfortunateand——ah——mostdeplorablemistake。"
　　Withinspiration，hemadeboldtoadd："Themostamazingthing，though——tomymind——isthatyoudon'tseem——whatshallIsay？——particularlyenragedwithmeaboutit。"
　　"Yes——thatsurprisesme，too，"Thorpemeditativelyadmitted。
　　"Iwasentitledtokillyou——crushyoutojelly。
　　AnyothermanIwould。Butyou，——Idon'tknow，——Idofunnythingswithyou。"
　　"Iwishyouwouldgivemeadrink，now——asoneofthem，"
　　Plowdenventuredtosuggest，withuneasypleasantry。
　　Thorpesmiledalittleasherose，andheavilymovedacrosstheroom。Hesetoutuponthebigofficialtableinthemiddle，thatmockinglypretentiousreminderofaBoardwhichnevermet，adecanterandtwoglassesandsomerecumbent，round-bottomedbottles。HehandedoneoftheselasttoPlowden，asthelatterstrolledtowardthetable。
　　"Youknowhowtoopenthese，don'tyou？"hesaid，languidly。
　　"SomehowInevercouldmanageit。"
　　Thenoblemansubmissivelytookthebottle，andpickedwithawkwardnessatitswireandcork，andallatonceachievedaprematureandnotover-successfulexplosion。
　　Hewipedhisdrippingcuffinsilence，whenthetumblersweresupplied。
　　"Well——here'sbetterlucktoyounexttime，"Thorpesaid，liftinghisglass。TheaudaciousironyofhiswordsfilledPlowdenwithaninstantpurpose。
　　"Whatonearthdidyouroundonmeinthatwayfor，Thorpe——whenIwasherelast？"Heputthequestionwithbraveryenough，butatsightoftheother'sunresponsivefacegrewsuddenlytimorousaudexplanatory。"NomanwasevermoreastoundedintheworldthanIwas。TothisdayI'masunabletoaccountforitasababeunborn。
　　WhatconceivablethinghadIdonetoyou？"
　　Thorpeslowlythoughtofsomethingthathadnotoccurredtohimbefore，andseizeduponitwithacertainsatisfaction。
　　"Thatdaythatyoutookmeshooting，"hesaid，withthetoneofonefinallyexposingalong-nursedgrievance，"youstayedinbedforhoursafteryouknewIwasupandwaitingforyou——andwhenwewentout，youhadaservanttocarryachairforyou，butI——byGod！——Ihadtostandup。"
　　"Heavensabove！"ejaculatedPlowden，inunfeignedamazement。
　　"Thesearelittlethings——meretrifles，"continuedThorpe，dogmatically，"butwithmenofmytemperandmake-upthosearejustthethingsthataggravateandrankleandhurt。
　　Maybeit'sfoolish，butthat'sthekindofmanIam。
　　Yououghttohavehadtheintelligencetoseethat——andnotletthesestupidlittlethingshappentoannoyme。
　　Whyjustthinkwhatyoudid。IwasgoingtodoGodknowswhatforyou——makeyourfortuneandeverythingelse，——andyoudidn'tshowconsiderationenoughformetogetoutofbedatadecenthour——muchlessseetoitthatIhadachairifyouweregoingtohaveone。"
　　"Uponmyword，Ican'ttellhowashamedandsorryIam，"
　　LordPlowdenassuredhim，withferventcontritioninhisvoice。
　　"Well，thosearethethingstoguardagainst，"
　　saidThorpe，approachingadismissalofthesubject。
　　"Peoplewhoshowconsiderationforme；peoplewhotakepainstodothelittlepleasantthingsforme，andseethatI'mnotannoyedandworriedbytrifles——they'rethepeoplethatI，onmyside，dothebigthingsfor。
　　Icanbethebestfriendintheworld，butonlytothosewhoshowthattheycareforme，anddowhattheyknowI'lllike。Idon'twanttoadiesaboutme，butIdowantpeoplewhofeelboundtome，andareaskeenaboutmeandmyfeelingsandinterestsastheyareabouttheirown。"
　　"Itisdelightfullyfeudal——allthis，"commentedthenobleman，smilinglyaddressingtheremarktonobodyinparticular。
　　ThenhelookedatThorpe。"Letmebeoneofthem——oneofthepeopleyouspeakof，"hesaid，withdirectness。
　　Thorpereturnedhislookwiththegood-naturedbeginningsofagrin。"Butwhatwouldyoubegoodfor？"
　　hequeried，inabanteringtone。"PeopleIhaveaboutmehavetobeofsomeuse。Theyrequiretohaveheadsontheirshoulders。Why——justthinkwhatyou'vedone。
　　Idon'tmeansomuchaboutyourlettingTavenderslipthroughyourfingers——althoughthatwasabouttheworstI
　　everheardof。Buthereinthisroom，atthatdeskthere，youallowedmetobounceyouintowritingandsigningapaperwhichyououghttohavehadyourhandcutoffratherthanwrite，muchlesssign。Youcomeheretryingtoworkthemostdifficultanddangerouskindofabluff，——knowingallthewhilethatthewitnessyoudependedentirelyuponhaddisappeared，youhadn'ttheremotestideawhere，——andyouactuallyletmeleadyouintogivingmeyoursignaturetoyourowndeclarationthatyouareblackmailingme！Thinkingitallover——youknow——I
　　can'tseethatyouwouldbeofmuchhelptomeintheCity。"
　　LordPlowdenjoinedperforceinthelaughterwithwhichthebigmanenjoyedhisownpleasantry。
　　Hismirthhadsomesuperficialsignsofshamefacedness，butitwashopefulunderneath。"TheCity！"heechoed，withmeaning。"That'sthecurseofit。WhatdoIknowabouttheCity？WhatbusinesshaveIintheCity？Asyousaid，I'mtheamateur。Astrongmanlikeyoucanmakemeseemanykindofaridiculousfoolhelikes，withtheturnofhishand。Iseethatrightenough。
　　ButwhatamItodo？Ihavetomakeashotatsomething。
　　I'msorottenpoor！"
　　Thorpehadretiredagainbehindthebarrierofdull-
　　eyedabstraction。Heseemednottohaveheardthisappealingexplanation。
　　Theotherpreservedsilenceinturn，andevenmadeapretenceoflookingatsomepamphletsonthetable，asatokenofhisboundlessdeferencetothemaster'smood。
　　"Idon'tknow。I'llsee，"thebigmanmutteredatlast，doubtfully。
　　LordPlowdenfeltwarrantedintakinganoptimisticviewofthesevaguewords。"It'sawfullygoodofyou"——
　　hebegan，lamely，andthenpaused。"Iwonder，"——hetookupanewthoughtwithamoresolicitoustone，——"IwonderifyouwouldmindreturningtomethatidioticpaperIsigned。"
　　Thorpeshookhishead。"Notjustnow，atanyrate，"
　　hesaid，stillmusingly。Withhisheadbowed，hetookafewrestlesssteps。
　　"Butyouaregoingto——tohelpme！"theotherremarked，withanairofconfidence。Hehadtakenuphishat，inresponsetothetacitwarningofhiscompanion'smanner。
　　Thorpelookedathimcuriously，andhesitatedoverhisanswer。Itwasasurprisingandalmostunaccountableconclusionfortheinterviewtohavereached。Hewasinsomevaguewayashamedofhimself，buthewasexplicitlyandcontemptuouslyashamedforPlowden，andtheimpulsetosaysowasstrongwithinhim。Thishandsomeyounggentlemanoftitleoughtnottobeescapingwiththisrestoredbuoyancyofmien，andthiscomplacencyofspirit。
　　Hehaddeservedtobepunishedwithaheavyhand，andherehewasblithelymakingcertainofnewbenefitsinstead。
　　"Idon'tknow——I'llsee，"Thorpemoodilyrepeated——andtherewasnomoretobesaid。
　　CHAPTERXXI
　　INthenoonhourofthefollowingdaywasenactedthebrieffinalsceneinthedramaofthe"RubberConsolscorner。"
　　Forlongweeks，Mr。StormontThorpehadgivenmuchthoughttothisapproachingclimaxofhisgreatadventure——lookingforwardtoitbothasthecrowningeventofhislife，andasthedawnofanewexistenceinsomenovel，enchantedworld。Itwastobringhistriumph，andevenmore，hisrelease。ItwasatoncetocrownhimasaheroandchieftainamongCitymen，andtransfigurehimintoabeingforwhomallCitythingswereanabomination。
　　Inhiswakinghours，theconflictbetweentheseaimsdidnotspeciallyforceitselfuponhisattention：hemusedupon，andspunfanciesabout，eitheroneindifferently，andtheyseemednotatallirreconcilable。Buthisdreamswerefullofwarfare，——wearilysaturatedwithstrife，andendlessendeavourtodothingswhichcouldnotbedone，andpanic-strickenterrorsbeforetheshadowofshapelesscalamities，——untilhedreadedtogotosleep。Thenhediscoveredthatanextratwoglassesofwhiskey-and-waterwouldsolvethatparticulardifficulty，andsendhimintoprompt，leadenslumber——buttheearlymorningsremainedastorturingasever。Inthetwilightheawokeoppressedandsickatheartwithgloom——andthendozedatintervalsthroughfantasticnewordealsofanguishandshameandfear，tillitwasdecentlypossibletogetup。
　　Then，indeed，thebigcoldspongeonhisheadandspinescatteredthesefoolishtroubleslikechaff，andrestoredtohimhiscitizenshipamongtherealities。Hedressedwithreturningequanimity，andwasalmostcheerfulbythetimehethrusthisrazorintothehotwater。
　　Yetincreasinglyhewasconsciousofthewearandstrainofitall，andincreasinglythedate，Septembertwelfth，loomedbeforehimwithaportentousindividualityofitsown。
　　Thisdaygrewtomeansomuchmoretohimthanhadalltheotherdaysofthedeadyearstogetherthathewokeinthedarknessofitsopeninghours，anddidnotgetsatisfactorilytosleepagain。Hisvigil，however，wasfortheoncefreefromgrief。Hedrowsilyawaitedthemorninginvaguementalcomfort；hehadrecurringhaphazardindolentglimpsesofaprotectingfactstandingguardjustoutsidetheportalsofconsciousness——thefactthatthegreatdaywashere。Heroseearly，breakfastedwell，andwalkedbytheEmbankmenttotheCity，whereattenhehadafewwordswithSemple，andafterwardcausedhimselftobedeniedtoordinarycallers。
　　HepacedupanddowntheBoardRoomforthebetterpartoftheensuingtwohours，luxuriatinginthegeneralsenseofsatisfactionintheproximityoftheclimax，ratherthanpretendingtohimselfthathewasthinkingoutitsdetails。
　　HehadprovidedinhisplansofthedayforavisitfromMessrs。RostockerandAronson，whichshouldconstitutethedramaticfinaleofthe"corner，"andhelookedforwardtothismeetingwithacertaineagernessofexpectation。
　　Yetevenherehethoughtbroadlyofthesceneasawhole，andaskedhimselfnoquestionsaboutwordsandphrases。
　　Itseemedtobetakenforgrantedinhismindthatthesceneitselfwouldbetheatricallyimpressive，evenspectacular。
　　Intheevent，thislong-awaitedculminationprovedtobedisappointinglyflatandcommonplace。ItwasoverbeforeThorpehadsaidanyconsiderableproportionofthethingshesawafterwardthathehadintendedtosay。
　　Thetwomencameashehadexpectedtheywould——
　　andtheyboughttheirwayoutofthetragic"corner"
　　atpreciselythepricehehadnominatedinhismind。
　　Buthardlyanythingelsewentashehaddimlyprefiguredit。
　　Mr。Rostockerwasayellow-hairedman，andMr。AronsonwasasdarkasaMoor，andnophysicalresemblanceoffeaturesorformsuggesteditselftothecomparingeye，yetThorpeevennow，whentheystoodbrusquelysilentbeforehim，withtheircarefully-brushedhatspulleddownovertheireyes，stucktoitinhisownmindthatitwashardtotellthemapart。Totheend，therewassomethingimpersonalinhisfeelingtowardthem。