While Dare waited the clerk affixed to the door a piece of paper bearing the words 'Back at 2,' and went away to his dinner, leaving Dare in the room alone.
Dare looked at the different drawings on the boards about the room.
They all represented one subject, which, though unfinished as yet, and bearing no inscription, was recognized by the visitor as the design for the enlargement and restoration of Stancy Castle.

When he had glanced it over Dare sat down.
The doors between the office and private room were double; but the one towards the office being only ajar Dare could hear a conversation in progress within.

It presently rose to an altercation, the tenor of which was obvious.

Somebody had come for money.
'Really I can stand it no longer, Mr.Havill--really I will not!' said the creditor excitedly.

'Now this bill overdue again--what can you expect?
Why, I might have negotiated it; and where would you have been then?
Instead of that, I have locked it up out of consideration for you; and what do I get for my considerateness?
I shall let the law take its course!' 'You'll do me inexpressible harm, and get nothing whatever,' said Havill.