The best thing will be for me to go and spend a short time with him, and get my nerves into order--I'm shaky, there's no disguising it.

I haven't exhausted all the possibilities of raising money; there's hope still in one or two directions; if I get a little quietness and rest I shall be able to think things out more clearly Don't you think this justifiable ?" As to the money he remained inflexible.

Very reluctantly Warburton consented to keep this sum, giving a receipt in form.
"You haven't said anything to Mrs.Warburton yet ?" asked Sherwood nervously.
"Not yet," muttered Will.
"I wish you could postpone it a little longer.

Could you--do you think--without too much strain of conscience?
Doesn't it seem a pity--when any day may enable me to put things right ?" Will muttered again that he would think of it; that assuredly he preferred not to disclose the matter if it could decently be kept secret.

And on this Sherwood took his leave, going away with a brighter face than he had brought to the interview; whilst Will remained brooding gloomily, his eyes fixed on the bank-notes, in an unconscious stare.
Little of a man of business as he was, Warburton knew very well that things at the office were passing in a flagrantly irregular way: he knew that any one else in his position would have put this serious affair into legal hands, if only out of justice to Sherwood himself.
More than once he had thought of communicating with Mr.Turnbull, but shame withheld him.