"You mentioned, Mr. Levi, in your note, that you were instructed, by some person who takes an interest in me, to open this business," said Richard Arden, in a more conciliatory tone. "Will your instructions permit you to tell me who that person is?" "No, no," drawled Mr. Levi, with a slow shake of his head; "I declare to you sholemnly, Mr. Harden, I couldn't. I'm employed by a third party, and though I may make a tolerable near guess who's firsht fiddle in the bishness, I can't shay nothin'." "Surely you can say this--it is hardly a question, I am so sure of it--is the friend who lends this money a gentleman?" "I think the pershon as makesh the advanshe is a bit of a shwell. There, now, that'sh enough." "But I said a _gentleman_," persisted Arden. "You mean to ask, hashn't a lady got nothing to do with it?" "Well, suppose I do?" Mr. Levi shook his head slowly, and all his white teeth showed dimly, as he answered with an unctuous significance that tempted Arden strongly to pitch him into the river. "We puts the ladiesh first; ladiesh and shentlemen, that's the way it goes at the theaytre; if a good-looking chap's a bit in a fix, there'sh no one like a lady to pull him through." "I really want to know," said Richard Arden, with difficulty restraining his fury. "I have some relations who are likely enough to give me a lift of this kind; some _are_ ladies, and some gentlemen, and I have a right to know to whom I owe this money." "To our firm; who elshe? We have took your paper, and you have our cheques on Childs'." "_Your_ firm lend money at five per cent.!" said Arden with contempt. "You forget, Mr. Levi, you mentioned in your note, distinctly, that you act for another person. Who _is_ that principal for whom you act?" "I don't know." "Come, Mr. Levi! you are no simpleton; you may as well tell me--no one shall be a bit the wiser--for I _will_ know." "Azh I'm a shinner--as I hope to be shaved----" began Mr. Levi. "It won't do--you may just as well tell me--out with it!" "Well, here now; I _don't_ know, but if I did, upon my shoul, I wouldn't tell you." "It is pleasant to meet with so much sensitive honour, Mr. Levi," said Richard Arden very scornfully. "I have nothing particular to say, only that your firm were mistaken, a little time ago, when they thought that I was without resources; I've friends, you now perceive, who only need to learn that I want money, to volunteer assistance. Have you anything more to say?" Richard Arden saw the little Jew's fine fangs again displayed in the faint light, as he thus spoke; but it was only prudent to keep his temper with this lucky intervenient. "I have nothing to shay, Mr. Harden, only there'sh more where that came from, and I may tell you sho, for that'sh no shecret. But don't you go too fasht, young gentleman--not that you won't get it--but don't you go too fasht."