“You’d sooner sink in the bog than clutch a dirty rope and be saved! It’s damned folly! I don’t like bills o’ sale, who does? But if you think I’m going to lend my money for your creditors to grab if the worst comes to the worst, you’re mistaken. I can save the business yet; but I’m man and not master, and may be sacked at a minute’s notice, same as you sacked Jagger. It’s either a bill o’ sale, or we flounder on for another month or so and then—” He shrugged his shoulders; but Baldwin was not looking. He had emptied his glass and the bottle and his eyes were on the table. Inman watched him, and a smile, that was nearly as ugly as the frown it replaced, spread over his face. “What objection is there to it?” he went on with less heat. “I only want it for security; it isn’t same as I was taking aught from you. Has to be registered, you say? Well, you’ll be registered a deal more in another month or two if you don’t do it. And that’ll go against the grain when the _Herald_ and all the other papers have you listed as bankrupt.” The other’s face became distorted with passion, but the oaths he poured out left Inman unmoved. “I’m trying to save you, aren’t I?” he continued; “but you’re same as a man that’s drowning; you kick and struggle till you’d pull a strong swimmer down with you, and I’m not having any. Will five hundred set you on your feet? Are you sober enough to answer me that?” It was the first time that he had adopted this tone with his victim, but he had measured his distance and knew how far he could go. “I’m as sober as you,” the other growled thickly. “Five hundred ’ud pull me through; but I tell you I’ll see you hanged before I’ll give you that bill!” “Very well,” said Inman calmly. “Perhaps before we separate you’ll tell me why, and what you propose to do instead. My money’s right where it is even if it doesn’t bring in five per cent.” Baldwin said nothing; and Inman regarded him for quite a minute in silence. He then remarked: “I’ve finished with that suggestion now. Next time it’s mentioned it’ll come from you; but there’s one thing I want to point out. These folk you’ve dealt with all these years aren’t willing to do much for you now ’at you’re down; and you’ve no bank to give you a helping hand. Suppose you had to come to grief in the end what harm would it do you if I was to get the machinery, and leave the other creditors to whistle for their brass? What have they done for you that you’ve to consider them?” He looked at his watch, and without waiting for an answer rose and went out, turning his steps towards the moors, where there was other game to be snared; and Baldwin sat on, staring moodily at the chair his foreman had vacated.