"But, man alive! it's Jack's money. You wouldn't have me thieve, would you? . . . As for the letter, I've written it; in fact you may say that I've written two, or, rather, assisted at their composition. Here is one of them, in copy. It explains the other, which is a half-sheet of instructions now in my lawyer's possession. I shall have to write a third presently, explaining to Jack--" "I don't like letter-writing," interrupted Jimmy, "and I shun solicitors. Which is anticipatory vengeance: as soon as I'm called, and in practice, they'll be active enough in shunning me. Otty, you need a nurse. What the devil do you want with consulting solicitors, when you can have my advice, legal or illegal, gratis?" "Listen to this," said I:-- "Thistleton Chambers," "29a Essex Street, Strand, W.C.," "May 12th, 1907." "Dear Sir,--Our client, Sir Roderick Otway, Bart., has to-day transferred to our account the sum of six thousand, five hundred pounds sterling, representing a sum received by him from you, to be administered on conditions which, after reconsidering them, he finds himself unable to accept. "Sir Roderick instructs us that you will draw on us at your convenience for any sum or sums under this cover. This, of course, pending notification of your wish that we should transfer the account elsewhere. "Acting on our client's further instructions, we hereby enclose in registered envelope circular notes value 100 pounds sterling. Kindly acknowledge receipt and oblige." "Yours faithfully," "B. Norgate," "for Wiseman and Norgate," "Solicitors." "To" "J. Foe, Esq., DSc.," "Grand Hotel," "Biarritz." Jimmy looked me straight, and asked, "Is that letter posted?" "It is," I answered. "I told Norgate that, as a matter of honour, Jack's letter ought to be answered promptly. That's why I lost no time this morning. Not being quite certain of the earliest post to France, he made sure by sending off the office-boy straight to St. Martin's-le-Grand."