“That is just what spoils it. We get the tan-juice from the under rind. We don’t want the crust, or outer bark; that is so much waste. Young coppice is the best for our purpose, and worth more for tanning than thrice the value of your old timber. I’ll give you two guineas; not a penny more. And let me tell you, you’ll have some difficulty in barking the old trees. The sap is a wonderful ticklish thing to run in them; it’s like the circulating of blood in old men.” “Two guineas! I won’t look at ’em,” said Pepperill, and passed on. He was angry and disappointed. He had reckoned on making a good price out of the bark. This meeting with Mr. Hamley would have a bad effect on the schoolmaster. Pepperill turned to him and said, “He’s a cunning file. He knows the Brimpts bark is worth seven guineas at least, but he’s trying to drive a bargain. He’ll come round in time, and be glad to buy at my price.” “Halloo!” Pepperill was clapped on the back, and, turning, saw his brother-in-law. “Pasco, old boy,” said Jason, “is it true you bought his two years’ stock of fleeces off Coaker?” “Yes, I did.” “More fool you. What did you pay?” “Thirteenpence.” “Done you are. Have you not heard that wool has dropped to tenpence?” “Jason! it is not true?” “It is. There have come in several cargoes of Australian wool, finer than ours; and behind, they say, is simply any amount--mountains of wool. This comes of your not reading the papers. Coaker knew it, and that made him so eager to sell. I hear we shall have a further drop. You are done, old boy, in that speculation. Why did you not consult me? Have you paid Coaker?” “I gave him fifty pounds, and a bill at two months.” “Try what you can do with the Sloggitts. They may want to buy, but don’t reckon on making more than tenpence. Lucky if you get that. I dare swear they will offer no more than ninepence.” Pepperill’s face became white, but he quickly rallied, and said to Bramber, “That is Quarm all over; he loves a joke, and he thought to frighten me. I’ll go at once to Sloggitt; I know where to find him. He has a mill at Buckfastleigh.” He caught the schoolmaster’s arm, and drew him along with him. He had not gone many steps before a stranger addressed him-- “Mr. Pepperill, I believe?” “Certainly.” “You were pointed out to me. You have done some business with us--the wood at Brimpts. I am the agent of the bank. I think we oughtn’t to have come to so hasty a conclusion. The fact is, we hadn’t any idea there was so much forest timber there. But as it is, of course, it can’t be helped; only bank rules, you understand, must be observed.” “And what are they?” “Well--it is all the same, whether we were dealing with the Duke of Bedford or with you. Rules are rules, you know.” “Of course rules are rules. But what are your rules?” “I’m only an underling; I don’t make rules. It is my duty to see they are carried out. You comprehend?” “To be sure; and what are those rules?”