"The young man has not been himself for some time, and perhaps that makes me nervous," said the old man with a deliberation which tried his companion's patience. "Besides, if you know him, Mr John, you are aware that there has been an unpleasantness about a money matter. It always is love or money with those young fellows. He got into debt, borrowed from one of those rascally money-lenders, giving him a promissory note, and when the time came had nothing to meet it. I believe it was a small sum, and it's not such an uncommon story, but a bad one to get to the ears of the principals, and somehow or other, I'm sure I don't know how, that is what happened here." "Ah, I see," said Ibbetson. "The consequence is that they have looked coldly on him ever since, and you'll understand, Mr John, that others who would not be shocked on their own account will follow the heads, if only to curry favour. I've been quite surprised, I declare, to see how many know it. And I can't help feeling sorry for the poor lad, wrong as he has been, for he seems to take it to heart terribly." "Does he say anything for himself?" "Well, he has a cock-and-a-bull sort of story," said old Davis, putting his head on one side. "He was sent down to Birmingham on business the week the note became due, and he says he gave the money to a man he trusted to pay it up for him, and that the man has made off or something, for he can find no trace of him. Very unlikely, I am afraid. Mr Trent did all he could in the matter, paid the money, and made it a personal favour to Mr Thornton to keep Mr Masters on, but I feared how it would be when I saw how much had leaked out. I'm sorry, too, for I liked him." Jack walked to the dingy window and looked out. "Have you no sort of idea where he has gone, if he has gone, as I see you believe?" "Yes," said the clerk confidently. "I think he has gone to Liverpool." "Why?" "They all go there, that's one reason. And then I know he has been asking questions in and out about Liverpool of one of the others. I feel pretty sure he has America in his head." "Now, Davis, you can do me a favour," said Jack, coming back suddenly. "We're close on Christmas. Make some excuse about his absence to-day-- put it on me if you like--and, give me a chance of getting hold of him. I shall go down to Liverpool at once. And, mind you, it's my opinion he will turn out not to blame in that money business." "But, Mr John, how can I!" "Nonsense, man, you haven't been here five-and-twenty years for nothing. I'll telegraph back, and be responsible to my uncle," added Jack with a half laugh. "Hey, boy, call a cab."