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。