Mr. Luker, seemingly under the impression that his client was going a little too far, even for her, ventured on an interposition. "Pardon me, Mrs. Lamb, but, if you will allow me to say so, I think this matter can be settled on a perfectly peaceful basis. If these gentlemen are disposed to be reasonable, and I feel sure they are, everything can be arranged without unpleasantness of any sort or kind. The point is----" Mrs. Lamb took the words out of his mouth, substituting, that is, words of her own. "The point is, that, among other things, you've robbed me of ten thousand Hardwood Company's shares." "It's an infamous falsehood! We've done nothing of the kind!" "Haven't you? I know you have, and so do you; but you're one of those brazen-faced old sinners who would go to the gallows with a lie on your lips. Those shares are worth fifty thousand pounds, and more; but as you've robbed me of every penny I have in the world, and left me with nothing but starvation staring me in the face----" "It's--it's incredible how any one should dare to say such things!--incredible!" "So there's nothing left for me but to try to come to terms with the robbers, and that's what I have come for. If you'll give me a cheque for forty thousand pounds--now!--this minute!--you may keep the other ten, and much good may it do you. So just you move yourself. Sit down at that table and write me a cheque for forty thousand pounds." "Forty thousand pounds! Do you suppose----" "I suppose nothing. You do as I tell you, or you'll be sorry." Again Mr. Luker ventured on an interposition. "If, once more, you will excuse me, Mrs. Lamb, if you will permit me I will point out to Mr. McTavish how much more than moderate you are disposed to be in your demands. I have Mrs. Lamb's permission to inform you, Mr. McTavish, that she is in absolute want of ready cash; that she is practically in a state of destitution; and that therefore she is willing to waive her lawful claims to such an extent that she is prepared to accept the sum of five-and-twenty thousand pounds; a fair proportion to be paid at once, and the balance on a given date; and to give you in exchange a discharge in full for all her claims against you respecting the Hardwood Company's shares." Mrs. Lamb's manner, as she acquiesced in her solicitor's modification of her terms, was not precisely gracious. "If I take twenty-five thousand pounds that will be going halves. If I am to be robbed I suppose I may as well be properly robbed; but I'll have at least ten thousand pounds in cash. So, now, Mr. McTavish, without any more fuss, perhaps you'll let me have a cheque for that ten thousand." "Ten thousand pounds! I'll not give you a cheque for tenpence."