"He bided his time. He was a man who could wait for years before he
struck, but who would never strike till he could make sure of inflicting
a mortal wound. He drew me into his power more and more, and then he
told me he did not intend to continue trusting anyone who betted--that
he must have his money. If he had not it by a certain date, which he
named, he would foreclose.
"That meant he would beggar me, and I with an ailing wife and a
large family!
"I appealed to him. I don't remember now what I said, but I do recollect
I might as well have talked to stone.
"What I endured during the time which followed, I could not describe,
were I to talk for ever. Till a man in extremity tries to raise money,
he never understands the difficulty of doing so. I had been short of
money every hour since I first engaged in business, and yet I never
comprehended the meaning of a dead-lock till then.
"One day, in the City, when I was almost mad with anxiety, I met
Mr. Elmsdale.
"'Shall you be ready for me, Harringford?' he asked.
"'I do not know--I hope so,' I answered.
"'Well, remember, if you are not prepared with the money, I shall be
prepared to act,' he said, with an evil smile.
"As I walked home that evening, an idea flashed into my mind.
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