Jan gave a conquerer’s grin; yet knew in his heart that the tussle was still to come; and if he had brought a cap with him, instead of driving out bare-headed this was the moment at which he would have given the peak a tug. He plunged his hand into the jingling pocket. He brought out a fistful of silver of all sizes, and one or two half-sovereigns. In the act he shifted his position, and happened to tread—but left his foot firmly planted—upon that ugly cudgel just as its owner stooped to pick it up and almost overbalanced in the attempt. “Look out, mister! That’s my little stick. I’d forgotten it was there.” “Had you? I hadn’t,” said Jan, one eye on his money and the other on his man. “You don’t want it now, do you, Mulberry?” “Not partic’ly.” “Then attend to me. There’s your money. Not so fast!” His fist closed. Mulberry withdrew a horrid paw. “I thought you said it was mine, mister?” “It will be, in good time. Have a look at it first.” “Lot o’ little silver, ain’t it?” “One or two bits of gold as well.” “It may be more than it looks; better let me count it, mister.” “It’s been counted. That’s the amount; you sign that, and it’s yours.” With his other hand Jan had taken from another pocket an envelope, stamped and inscribed, but not as for the post, and a stylographic pen. The stamp was just under the middle of the envelope; above was written, in Jan’s hand and in ink: _Received in final payment for everything supplied in Yardley Wood to end of June_— £2 18_s._ 6_d._ “Sign across the stamp.” said Jan briskly. Underneath was the date. The envelope fluttered in the drunkard’s fingers. “Two p’un’ eighteen—look here—this won’t do!” he cried less thickly than he had spoken yet. “What the devil d’you take me for? It’s close on five golden sovereigns that _I’m_ owed. This is under three.” “It’s all you’ll get, Mulberry, and it’s a darned sight more than you deserve for swindling and blackmailing. If you don’t take this you won’t get anything, except what you don’t reckon on!” The man understood; but he was almost foaming at the mouth. “I tell you it’s a dozen and a half this summer! Half a dozen bottles and a dozen——” “I don’t care what it is. I know what there’s been, what you’ve charged for it, and what you’ve been paid already.” Jan thought it time for a bit of bluff. “This is all you’ll get; but you don’t touch a penny of it till you’ve signed the receipt.” “Don’t I!” snarled Mulberry. Without lowering his flaming eyes, or giving Jan time to lower his, he slapped the back of the upturned hand and sent the money flying in all directions. Neither looked where it fell. Mulberry was ready for a blow. Jan never moved an eye, scarcely a muscle. And over them rose and fell such sylvan music as had been rising and falling all the time; only now their silence brought it home.