"With reference to so much of the furniture and other articles--excluding the pair of Chinese vases, to which you probably attach a sentimental value--as belonged to your late aunt, I have had an interview with Mr. Percy Taverner, and I am now authorised on his behalf to make you an offer of £200 for these effects. Although this sum is less than the amount of the probate valuation, you might feel disposed to accept the offer, having regard to the fact that it would save you the expense of removing the furniture and holding a sale by auction and the auctioneer's commission on a sale. I shall be glad to hear from you when you have considered Mr. Taverner's proposal." "I've caught 'em!" cried George exultantly. "I baited and set my little trap and I've caught, not only slippery Percy, but that two-faced, double-tongued, pill-gilding, thimble-rigging, gammoning, diddling Hunter!" CHAPTER X THE FIRST PERSON SINGULAR PARAMOUNT "This is easier than catching flies," was George's comment, when the cheque for the furniture arrived, together with a document which pretended to be a receipt, but was unable to disguise the fact that it was also an agreement; for it contained a clause, by which George undertook to quit Windward House within three calendar months, and to accept Miss Yard as his tenant for life at a yearly rental of thirty pounds. He looked forward to a busy day without flinching. Some forms of labour were fascinating, and quashing lawyers was one of them. George did not write to Mr. Hunter returning thanks, but walked into the market town and opened an account with the post office savings bank by paying in the comfortable cheque. Returning to Highfield, he lured Nellie into the garden, and informed her he was piling up money in a reckless fashion. "Two hundred pounds this morning," he said. "Another two hundred next week. And so it will go on." "Where's it all coming from?" she asked. "Money Aunt left me. They don't know what a lot she _did_ leave. It's a great secret and I wouldn't tell any one but you. I'm refusing money--that gentleman who called the other day begged me to accept a thousand pounds, but I wouldn't look at it. I can retire any day now." "From what?" she laughed. "From business. Making money is business, and I'm making it like the Mint." "Did you really get two hundred pounds this morning?" "Look at this, if you can't believe me," George replied, showing her the bank book. "It's nothing--just a flea bite--what the French call a game of bagatelle. Still it would give many an honest soul a start in life." "You had better lend the money to your cousin," suggested Nellie. "I'd let it perish first," cried George. "Whatever made you think of such a thing?" "Mr. Taverner wrote to Miss Sophy this morning--she shows me all her letters now--and asked her to lend him two hundred pounds, as he had suddenly discovered another mortgage he had forgotten to pay off."