This was his life, and he must save it, by whatever means.

He knew nothing but that necessity; all else of consciousness was vague swimming horror.
'No, sir,' was his reply, given with perfect firmness, 'I found no envelope.' Dagworthy's coarse lips formed a smile, hard and cruel.

He faced his clerk.
'Oh, you didn't ?' 'In which ledger did you leave it, sir ?' Hood asked, the dryness of his throat rendering speech more difficult as he proceeded.

Still, his eye was fixed steadily on Dagworthy's face; it was life at stake.

'I have not had them all.' 'I don't remember which it was,' replied the other, 'and it doesn't much matter, since I happen to know the note.