Foul Play

ning-room in Russell Square. It was very large, had sickly green walls, picked out with aldermen, full length

teen could have dined comfortably; and at opposite sides of this table sat two gentlemen, who

ood, brown eye, a square jowl that betokened resolution, and a complexion so sallow as to be almost c

te, pale blue eyes, largish ears, finely chiseled features, the under lip much shorter than the upper; his chin oval and pretty, but somewhat re

he invariable custom of the house; and sat in a dead

laurel-tree; neither Wardlaw could well see the other, without craning out his neck like a rifleman from behind his tree; and then there were three live suppressors of confidential intercourse, two gorgeous footmen and a somber, sublime, and, in one word, episcopal, butler; all three went about a

the sideboard; so then father and son looked at one another with that conscious air which naturally precedes a topi

ills his glass, hurl

an, and had the gift of teaching. The house of Wardlaw had peculiar claims on him, for he was the son of old Michael Penfold, Wardlaw's cashier; he learned from young Wardlaw the stake he was playing for, and instead of merely giving him one hour's lecture per day, as he did to his other pupils, he used to come to his rooms at all hours, and force him to read, by reading with him. He also stood his friend in a serious emergency. Young Wardlaw, you must know, was blessed or cursed with Mimicry; his powers in that way really seemed to have no limit, for he could imitate any sound you li

unexpected sally of wit caused shrieks of laughter, and mightily tickled all the hearers, except Champion ipse, who was listening and disapproving at another win

nfold, and said to him, "I must have been awfully cut, for I don't remember all that; I had been wining at Christchurch. I do remember slanging the fellows, but how can I tell what I said? I say, old fellow, it will b

nately, a habit with him. He then pleaded for the milder construction with such zeal and eloquence that the high-minded scholar he was addressing admitted that construction was possible, and ther

mination, throbbing with anxiety. He passed; and was so grateful to his tutor that, when the advowson of a small living near Oxford came into the marke

a key to the dialogue it has post

so you have really

ion. The degree follows as a matter of

man of business; I don't doubt your word; Heaven forbid! but, do you happen to have any document you can produce,

replied young Ward

is t

oduced his Testamur, or "We bear witness"; a short pr

w, of St. Luke's College, has answe

E RICH

UR SM

RD ME

mine

th his double eye-glass, and, not knowing a word of Latin, was mightily

ce, and your ability into the bargain. Well, sir, you have stood the trial, and I am proud of you. And so now it is my turn. From this day and from this hour look on yourself as my partner in the old established house of Wardlaw. My balance-sheet shall be prepared immediately, and the partnership de

a long breath, like one who was in the ac

the law of Nature, and must be submitted to with a good grace. Wardlaw junior, fill your glass." At the same time he stood up and said, stoutly, "The setting sun drinks to the rising sun;" but could not maintain that artificial style,

enediction; but only for a moment. He then sa

was speaking, and, when he ceased, he sank into his chair with another sig

t all this mysterious emotion, and faltered out that he should not fear the

house is but a mile from the station. You can

ish me to commenc

a balance-sheet, such as I could be content to

aw's counte

ravel on the Continen

ardlaw, mechanically, and

ts natural state. And its silence cont

t the street door, and resou

at one another in

Some time elapsed, and then a footman m

istopher

lock in the evening, seemed to that merchant irregular, presumptuous and monstrous. "Tell hi

, raised voices were heard in the hall, and the episcop

see you; he is

shed by the butler, and stood, hat in hand, in those sacred precincts. "'Pray excuse me, sir,

sir," said Mr. Wardlaw. "Do you think

to ask you a very serious question. I couldn't

are here, pray what is the matter?" He then dismissed the lingering

to say, he will be as soon as the balance-sheet can be prepared and the deed

h other, and Arthur Ward

of hand to-day?" inquired

Did you discount

sir, w

on will provide for it, I dare say." This with the lofty nonchal

ill if it is all right;

asked Wardlaw, wit

dorsed by your cashier. Only what makes me a little uneasy, your bills used to be always on your o

t. Show it Arthur first; his

sed it across the table to Wardlaw junior. He took it up with a sort of s

or and laid it before him by

nspected it wi

g is mine,

it," said the bil

unds! and, as you say, not my form. I have signed no note for two thous

to say my

suspense, the thing is not wo

heavens! Then it is as I

k so pale, Arthur. We can't help some clever scoundrel imitating our

ered the holder, clinging to a straw. "May he no

indorsed 'Robert Penfold.' Do you hear, Arthur? Why, what is the matter with you? You look like a ghost. I say there is your tuto

a cold moisture gathered on his brow. His pale eyes roved to and fro in a very remarkable way; and h

est of the writing is equally like yours, sir. I am sure Robert Penfold never did anything wrong. Mr. Ada

d the elder Wardlaw. "The first qu

was a respectable-lookin

dlaw, with a w

"for my sake, say no more to-night. Rober

yed into in the hour of temptation. And, now I think of it, this Robert Penfold is in want of money. Did he not ask me f

. This he handed the bill-broker, and gave him some advice in a whisper, which Mr. Christopher Adams received with a profusio

t suddenly: "Robert Penfold is the best friend I ever had; I should have been

not lend him the money you asked for. For, mark my words, in a moment of temptation that miser

I will see him directly." He got up all in a hurry, and was going to Penfold to warn him, and get him out of the way till the money s

mine. Justice must take its course. What business and what right have we to protect a felon? I would not take your part if you

d his head on the table and groaned aloud, and a cold