We clinched the arrangement with a grip, and then Joyce, jumping up from the table, crossed the room to a small writing-desk. "I've got a time-table somewhere here," she said, "so we can look out the train right away." "It's all right," said Tommy. "I know 'em backwards. We'll catch the nine-five from Fenchurch Street. It's low water at eight-thirty, so that will get us in about the right time. We can leave the _Betty_ at Tilbury or Gravesend afterwards, and come back by train from there. We'll be home for dinner or supper or something." Joyce nodded. "That will just do," she said. "I am going out again with George in the evening. Oh, I haven't told either of you about last night--have I?" I shook my head. "No," I said, "but in any case I wish you'd drop that part of it, Joyce dear. I hate to think of you dining with George: it offends my sense of decency." She took an envelope out of the desk and came back to her place at the table. "I mean to drop it quite soon," she said calmly, "but I must go tomorrow. George is on the point of being rather interesting." She paused a moment. "He told me last night that he was expecting to get a cheque for twelve thousand pounds." "Twelve thousand pounds!" I echoed in astonishment. "Where the Devil's he going to get it from?" demanded Tommy. "That," said Joyce, "is exactly what I mean to find out. You see George is at present under the impression that if he can convince me he is speaking the truth I am coming away with him for a yachting cruise in the Mediterranean. Well, tomorrow I am going to be convinced--and it will have to be done very thoroughly." Tommy gave a long whistle. "I wonder what dog's trick he's up to now. He can't be getting the money straight: I know they've done nothing there the last year." "It would be interesting to find out," I admitted. "All the same, Joyce, I don't see why you should do all the dirty work of the firm." "It's my job for the minute," said Joyce cheerfully, "and none of the firm's work is dirty to me." She came across, and opening my coat, slipped the envelope which she had taken out of her desk into my inner pocket. "I got those out of the bank today," she said--"twenty five-pound notes. You had better take them before we forget: you're sure to want some money." Then, before I could speak, she picked up the second bottle of champagne that Tommy had just opened, and filled up all three glasses. "I like your description of us as the firm," she said; "don't you, Tommy? Let's all drink a health to it!" Tommy jumped to his feet and held up his glass. "The Firm!" he cried. "And may all the fools who sent Neil to prison live to learn their idiocy!" I followed his example. "The Firm!" I cried, "and may everyone in trouble have pals like you!" Joyce thrust her arm through mine and rested her head against my shoulder. "The Firm!" she said softly. Then, with a little break in her voice, she added in a whisper: "And you don't really want Sonia, do you, Neil?"