I had
tried all honest means of raising the money; I would try dishonest. My
credit was good. I had large transactions with first-rate houses. I was
in the habit of discounting largely, and I--well, I signed names to
paper that I ought not to have done. I had the bills put through. I had
four months and three days in which to turn round, and I might, by that
time, be able to raise sufficient to retire the acceptances.
"In the meantime, I could face Mr. Elmsdale, and so I wrote, appointing
an evening when I would call with the money, and take his release for
all claims upon me.
"When I arrived at River Hall he had all the necessary documents ready,
but refused to give them up in exchange for my cheque.
"He could not trust me, he said, and he had, moreover, no banking
account. If I liked to bring the amount in notes, well and good; if not,
he would instruct his solicitors.
"The next day I had important business to attend to, so a stormy
interview ended in my writing 'pay cash' on the cheque, and his
consenting to take it to my bankers himself.
"My business on the following day, which happened to be out of town,
detained me much longer than I anticipated, and it was late before I
could reach River Hall. Late though it was, however, I determined to go
after my papers.
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