"It will be a double portion now--thirty-five pounds." "And a good thing, too; we shall want it," he returned. "Indeed, yes; there's such a heap of things owing for," concluded Nancy. Thus the captain went over to England in great glee, carrying with him the order for the money. But he was reckoning without his host. Upon presenting himself at the bank in the City on Monday morning, he found Colonel Selby absent; not expected to return before the end of that week, or the beginning of the next. This was a check for Captain Fennel. He quite glared at the gentleman who thus informed him--Mr. West, who sat in the colonel's room, and was his locum tenens for the time being. "Business is transacted all the same, I conclude?" said he snappishly. "Why, certainly," replied Mr. West, marvelling at the absurdity of the question. "What can I do for you?" Captain Fennel produced his wife's letter, requesting that her quarter's money should be paid over to him, and handed in her receipt for the same. Mr. West read them both, the letter twice, and then looked direct through his silver-rimmed spectacles at the applicant. "I cannot do this," said he; "it is a private matter of Colonel Selby's." "It is not more private than any other payment you may have to make," retorted Captain Fennel. "Pardon me, it is. This really does not concern the bank at all. I cannot pay it without Colonel Selby's authority: he has neither given it nor mentioned it to me. Another thing: the payment, as I gather from the wording of Mrs. Ann Fennel's letter, is not yet due. Upon that score, apart from any other, I should decline to pay it." "It will be due in two or three days. Colonel Selby would not object to forestall the time by that short period." "That would, of course, be for the colonel's own consideration." "I particularly wish to receive the money this morning." Mr. West shook his head in answer. "If you will leave Mrs. Fennel's letter and receipt in my charge, sir, I will place them before the colonel as soon as he returns. That is all I can do. Or perhaps you would prefer to retain the latter," he added, handing back the receipt over the desk. "Business men are the very devil to stick at straws," muttered Captain Fennel under his breath. He saw it was no use trying to move the one before him, and went out, saying he would call in a day or two. Now it happened that Colonel Selby, who was only staying at Brighton for a rest (for he had been very unwell of late), took a run up to town that same Monday morning to see his medical attendant. His visit paid, he went on to the bank, surprising Mr. West there about one o'clock. After some conference upon business matters, Mr. West spoke of Captain Fennel's visit, and handed over the letter he had left. Colonel Selby drew in his lips as he read it. He did not like Mr. Edwin Fennel; and he would most assuredly not pay Ann Fennel's money to him. He returned the letter to Mr. West.