But it was lucky he had not written before; this very morning there had reached him the very best news.

"The father of the man who owes me ten thousand pounds is dying.

Off and on he has been ill for a long time, but I hear at length that there can be no doubt whatever that the end is near.

I can't pretend to any human feeling in this matter; the man's death means life for us--so the world goes.

Any day now, you may have a telegram from me announcing the event.