“Of course it’s a large amount,” said the Squire, testily. “If it were only a paltry hundred or two I wouldn’t trouble anybody. But never mind, Bristow—never mind. I didn’t suppose that you could help me when I mentioned it; and, after all, it’s a matter of very little consequence whether I raise the money or not.” “I can only suggest one way, sir, by which the money could be raised in so short a time.” “Eh!” said the Squire, turning suddenly on him, and dropping the poker noisily in the grate. “You don’t mean to say that you can see how it’s to be done!” “I think I do, sir. Do you know the piece of ground called Prior’s Croft?” “Very well indeed. It belongs to Duckworth, the publican.” “Between you and me, sir, Duckworth’s hard up, and would be glad to sell the Croft if he could do it quietly and without its becoming generally known that he is short of money.” “Well?” said the Squire, a little impatiently. He could not understand what Tom was driving at. “I dare engage to say, sir, that you could have the Croft for two thousand pounds, cash down.” “Confound it, man, what an idiot you must be!” said the Squire fiercely, bringing his fist down on the table with a tremendous bang. “Didn’t I tell you that I wanted to borrow money, and not to spend it? In fact, as you know quite well, I’ve got none to spend.” “Precisely so,” said Tom, coolly. “And that is the point to which I am coming, if you will hear me out.” The Squire’s only answer was to glare at him, as if in doubt whether he had not taken leave of his senses. “As I said before, sir, Duckworth will take two thousand pounds for the Croft, cash down. Now I, sir, will engage to raise two thousand pounds for you by to-morrow, at noon, with which to buy the piece of ground in question. The purchase can be effected, and the necessary deeds made out and completed, by ten o’clock the following morning. If you will entrust those deeds into my possession, I will guarantee to effect a mortgage for six thousand pounds, in your name, on the Croft.” If the Squire had looked suspicious with regard to Tom’s sanity before, he now seemed to have no doubt whatever on the point. He quietly took up the poker again, as if he were afraid that Tom might spring at him unexpectedly. “So you could lend me two thousand pounds could you?” said the Squire drily. “I did not say that, sir. I said that I could raise two thousand pounds for you, which is a very different matter from lending it out of my own pocket.” “Humph! And who, sir, do you think would be such a consummate ass as to advance six thousand pounds on a plot of ground that had just been bought for two thousand?” “Strange as such a transaction may seem to you, sir, I give you my word of honour that I should find no difficulty in carrying it out. Have I your permission to do so?”