"Well, you needn't begin to suspect everybody who wants money, if there is. Do you suppose gentry don't run short of money sometimes?" "Oh no. I know they do, Mr Smith. I could show you some jewellery that would open your eyes." "And I dessay I could show you something that would open yours. May have to bring it to you some day. Who knows?" "Glad to do business on the square any time, Mr Smith," said the pawnbroker. "Of course you are; so's lots more. People thinks there's no card-playing going on now, and gents and ladies running short." "We don't think so, Mr Smith." "No, I suppose not," said Roach. "I did make up my mind I wouldn't come here again after what passed." "Only business caution, Mr Smith." "Oh, well, if that's all, perhaps I may. This was a commission; hundred pound wanted on the nail, and security worth five offered. Money's come in again, and my people want the security. Here's the cash and interest, and the sooner I'm off the better." "Soon done, Mr Smith," said the pawnbroker, "and I shall be happy to do business with you again any time." The man made some memoranda on the card, and went into a back room to a safe, from which he brought a carefully-done-up packet. "Rather I hadn't fetched it, eh?" said Roach, after having the packet opened and satisfied himself that the gold contents were intact. "Don't you make that mistake, Mr Smith," said the pawnbroker. "We don't want unredeemed pledges to sell, but to have them taken out and receive our interest. That's the way money is made, sir." "I dessay," said the butler, paying over the sum needed in notes and gold, and then packing the security in the Gladstone bag; "but it's a free country, and people have a right to believe what they like." "Of course, my dear sir, of course." "Now look here," whispered Roach; "if there happens to be an emergency, mister, and I'm disposed to come here again with something for an advance, is it to be prompt business, or a lot of humbugging questions?" "Prompt business, Mr Smith, with approved customers, and to any amount." "That will do then. I'll come. Private and confidential, eh?" "Private and confidential, sir. Good-evening.--Jobson, shut up." "Yes, and I shut him up," muttered Roach, as he went out with his Gladstone bag feeling weighty, and sought his cab, but not without looking back once or twice and choosing another way for his return. But he saw nothing to excite his suspicions of being followed, for it was not likely that the homely-looking woman with a thickish umbrella had come from the pawnbroker's. But somehow she had. An hour later, Roach's carefully-done-up parcel was denuded of its wrappings, and its golden glories were hidden in the iron plate-closet at the back of his pantry. And then he came upon Arthur, not long returned from setting down their people at Grosvenor Place. "Hullo! Didn't know you'd come back. Got it?" said the footman. The butler nodded.