Inman became thoughtful, and beyond saying “I see,” made no remark for some minutes. He was wondering how he could ascertain if Nancy’s money was also in her uncle’s keeping without arousing suspicion of his motives when Baldwin answered the unspoken question. “It’s a funny thing ’at t’ only one ’at doesn’t fairly trust John is his own niece. Nancy doesn’t believe in having all her eggs in one basket, and them ’at’s been laid since her father died she banks i’ Keepton, where she just gets half t’ interest her uncle ’ud pay her. But women haven’t much business about ’em and it’s her own look-out and not mine.” “That’s so,” Inman agreed absently. He was relieved to find that Nancy had so much sense, and was undecided what course his own interests should lead him to pursue in continuing the conversation. “Can Drake get the money at short notice?” he asked. “Nay, he’ll have to give him six months. Of course, I’ve a different arrangement, and he sends me bankers’ drafts to pay my accounts with; but even I couldn’t draw t’ lump out under six months, so it’s certain Maniwel can’t.” Again Inman was silent for a space, thinking hard. “I don’t know but what Miss Nancy’s right,” he said with unusual hesitation. “John Clegg isn’t a banker, though he calls himself one—he’s a moneylender.” He looked inquiringly into Baldwin’s face but saw no look of concern or suspicion there; and the voice was indifferent enough that replied: “I caren’t what he is. He went off o’ t’ moor and made his way i’ t’ town. Tom put his trust in him, and for twenty years he’s never let us down. He calls himself a banker, and he pays five per cent. on wer brass, and that’s good enough for me. Whether Maniwel knows he’s i’ t’ Jew line or no, I can’t say; but his brass is as safe as houses.” A comment rose to Inman’s lips but he checked it there, and remained silent so long that Baldwin looked up suspiciously. “You seem to have something up your sleeve,” he said. He had surrounded himself so long with an atmosphere of distrust that he was as sensitive to the moods of those about him as a spider to the vibrations of its web. “I was wondering if there was any way of keeping the Drakes’ money back,” he replied readily, but in a thoughtful tone. “Lack of capital’ll hamper ’em, you see. I’ve only seen this Maniwel’s face once, but I guess he’s not the man to plunge much. I mean he’s not likely to get far into debt.” “He’s t’ last i’ t’ world,” admitted Baldwin, appeased at once by this evidence of his companion’s discrimination. “I don’t see at this minute how it’s to be managed,” continued Inman, “but it’ll come to me. There’s always ways and means for those who’re prompt to handle ’em. All we’ve got to do is to bide our time, and as you say, keep the sawdust out of our eyes.”