Bertie felt the moment was not propitious. It occurred to him that he might pick a quarrel with his friend and fight him, and that when he had fought him long enough his friend might see things in a different light, and a loan might be arranged. But of this he was by no means certain. He was not clear in his own mind as to the amount of hammering which would be required to bring about a conversion. He had never measured his strength with Wheeler; and it even occurred to him that he might be the hammered one, and not his friend. On the whole, he thought that he had better leave that scheme untried; sevenpence might be bought too dearly. Baffled in one quarter he tried another. In quest of money he buttonholed all the school. But this, again, was a mistaken step. It soon got about that Bailey was in search of some one to devour, and, in consequence, those who were worth devouring took the hint--they by no means showed themselves anxious to be devoured. In spite of his repeated efforts, he only met with one success, and that was one of which he was scarcely entitled to be proud. Willie Seymour, Bailey's cousin, has been already mentioned. He was the youngster who led Mr. Shane's German grammar on its final road to ruin. A little pale-faced boy, certainly not more than nine years old, and without even the strength of his years. Bertie caught him by the jacket. "Now then, where's that money of yours?" His temper was not improved by the want of confidence his friends had shown, and this was not a case in which he thought delicacy was required. "What money? Bertie, don't! you're hurting my arm!" "Yes, and I'll hurt it, too! Where's that money of yours? I know you've got some." "I've only got one and fivepence. Mamma sent it me last week to buy a birthday present. It was my birthday, you know." "Oh, was it! Then I'll buy you a birthday present--something spiffing. Fork it up!" "But, Bertie----" "Fork it up!" "It's in my desk." "Then just you let me see your desk. It's never safe to leave money in your desk; it might get stolen." And Bailey dragged his relative indoors. It may be mentioned that Willie's mother (Bertie's aunt) had particularly commended her lad to Bertie's care. This was the first symptom of a careful disposition he had shown. Chapter IX THE START With tears and sighs Willie Seymour produced his desk for his relative's inspection. It was a little rosewood desk which his mother had given him to keep his papers in, and envelopes, and his own particular pens, and his stamps, and his money, and his treasures. Bailey proceeded to inspect it. "Where's the key?" "Don't take the money, Bertie. Mamma sent it me to buy a birthday present with, and I've spent sevenpence already. It was two shillings she sent."