The Blotting Book

and sea front between him and home. But the night was of wonderful beauty, a night of mid June, warm enough to make the most cautious secure of ch

drew the eyes heavenward. Mr. Taynton certainly, as he stepped out beneath the stars, with the sea lying below him, felt, in his delicate and sensiti

nassuming as he was, he could not help a secret gratification at the thought. What a handsome fellow Morris was too, how gay, how attractive! He had his father's dark colouring, and tall figure, but much of his mother's grace and charm had go

bt whether he should not give the offender up to justice, for the pilfering, petty though it had been, had been somewhat persistent, but he had taken the more merciful course, and merely dismissed the boy. He had been in two minds about it before, wondering whether it would not be better to let Martin have a sharp lesson, but to-night he was thankful that he had not done so. The mercy he had shown had come back to bless him also; he felt a glow of thankfulness that the subject of his clemency had turned out so well. Punishment often hardens the criminal, was one of his settled convictions. But Morris-again his thoughts went back to Morris, who was already standing on the verge of manhood, on the verge, too, he made no doubt of married life and its joys and responsibi

stant and broadened with a laugh. And the man who laughs when he is by

the sea, where his partner, who for the most part, looked after the London branch of their business, had his pied-à-terre. For the firm of Taynton and Mills was one of those respectable and solid businesses that, beginning in the country, had eventually been extended to town, and so far from its having its headq

his eye that betokened a watchfulness and vigilance of the most alert order. But useful as such a gift undoubtedly is, it was given to Mr. Godfrey Mills perhaps a shade too obviously. It would be unlikely that the stupidest or shallowest person would give himself away when talking to him, for it was so clear that he was always on the watch for admission or information that might be useful to him. He had, however, the charm that a very active and vivid mind always possesses, and though small and slight, he was a figure that would be noticed anywhere, so keen and wide-awake

come of him

he said. "Cigar, drink

is

ynton. "I have been dining with Mrs. Assheton. A most

ff the end

not come in merely to

ton's face

oo take it-I take it that you have found time to go o

ll. I had a lon

very painful facts which you felt it was your

Mills

remarkably well. I had these admissions wrung from me, I assure you it is no less than that, under promise of the most absolute secrecy. I told him young Assheton was leading an idle, extravag

gine how painful you

yn

artner in

in jest. I felt a brute, I tell you. But, as I point

y dropped his sligh

indeed necessary to do something of the sort. I think by now, your revelations have already

er briskness than he

such a handsome fellow, confided to me this evening that he

interview has met with so

o was also dining with Mrs. Assheton) said that she and her mother would be out all day and not get home till

s like me," sai

meditative sip at h

, for as you know, my dear fellow, I prefer to leave to your nimble and penetrating mind things th

you do?" a

everything is in order, and his investments well looked after. I told him also that the original ￡30,000 of his had, owing to judicious

you," said Mills quickly. "Why, it w

ynton

d every hour spent away from that car just now is to his mind an hour wasted. Also, I know him well. I knew that he would never consent to spend several hours over ledgers. Finally, even if he had

hook hi

don't understand what object could be served by

quietness of the one man as opposed to the obvious qu

ourse, as always, delighted to recognise the superiority of your judgment, should you disagree with me, and convince me of the corre

, but he wanted to learn without even the delay caused by these com

ng Assheton s

ause Morris absolutely refused to look at the books. Of course I know the young fellow well: it argues no perspicuity on my part to have foreseen that.

complete absence of hurry was so to speak, rapid

might happen, he had need of a large lump sum. In that case, my dear Mills, you and I would-would find it impossible to live elsewhere than in the Argentine Republic, were we so fortunate as to get there. But, as far as

o this with some attentio

is wonderfully convincing. You seem sincere without being sanctimonious. Why, if I was to ask young Assheton to look into his affairs for himself, he would instant

d pounds in building a house or buying an estate, and though I think I have guarded against his requiring an account of our stewardship, I can't prevent his wishing to draw a large sum of money. But your brilliant manoeuvre may, we hope, effectually put a stop to the danger of his marrying Miss Templeton, and since I am convinced he is in love with her, why"-Mr. Taynton put his plump finger-tips together an

asured ration of soda. He was essentially a sober man, but that was partly due to the fact that his head was as impervious to alcohol as teak is to wat

young Assheton know that his ￡30,000 had increased to

in me," remarked Mr. Taynton. "But as you say, it is ￡10,000 more to get back, and I should not have t

ng to look at ledgers

he risks which it is not worth while to take," said th

silent a

at option in Boston

bought

the clock as Mr.

ime, you might give me a detailed statement. I hardly kno

e clock likewise, and the

home by twelve; I have unfortunately come out without

rs over his eyes a m

*

iably to his servant for having kept him up. There were a few letters for him and he opened and read those, then lit his bed-candle and

. "But really for the moment it puzzles me to know what.

get to sleep for a long time. But when he did ther