And besides, the "desperate expedients" he would have to adopt in the new line of policy were fraught with peril to all who took part in them.

He might fall into the snare set for another--might involve himself so deeply as not to find a way of escape.
"To-morrow we will talk this matter over," he said in reply to Mrs.
Dinneford's last remark; "in the mean time I will examine the ground thoroughly and see how it looks." "Don't hesitate to make any use you can of Granger," suggested the lady.
"He has done his part toward getting things tangled, and must help to untangle them." "All right, ma'am." And they separated, Mrs.Dinneford reaching the street by one door of the hotel, and Freeling by another.
On the following day they met again, Mrs.Dinneford bringing the two thousand dollars.
"And now what next ?" she asked, after handing over the money and taking the receipt of "Freeling & Granger." Her eyes had a hard glitter, and her face was almost stern in its expression.

"How are you going to raise money and keep afloat ?" "Only some desperate expedient is left me now," answered Freeling, though not in the tone of a man who felt himself at bay.

It was said with a wicked kind of levity.
Mrs.Dinneford looked at him keenly.

She was beginning to mistrust the man.