“He’ll be having to make provision for paying Drake his money out,” said Inman thoughtfully. “If there’s been one or two more on the same hop—and there may have been for aught we know—he’ll want time to turn round, that’s all.” “That’s all! is it?” snapped Baldwin. “Then it’s too much! Am I to have my credit ruined to pay them two devils t’ money they’ll use again’ me? I’ll see ’em blaze first! He can try it on wi’ someb’dy else—I aren’t having it!” “Hadn’t you best go over to see him?” suggested Inman, “and tell him straight out how things stand between you and Drakes? After all, he’s Nancy’s uncle; and when you pointed out that she’d suffer as well as you if the firm got a bad name he’d be sure to see that it ’ud be the best plan to put old Drake off, who’d make no bones about it, but think it was the way Providence was leading him. Then you’d be getting a bit of your own back at t’ same time.” Baldwin’s eyes showed his satisfaction at this advice, for the strained look gave place to one of cunning; but he suppressed any note of enthusiasm as he replied: “I should spoil t’ job if _I_ was to see him, for my temper’s that hot it ’ud flame out t’ minute he crossed me; and I couldn’t put it into words same as you. And you being Nancy’s husband, and a friend of his by what you’ve told me, it ’ud come more natural ’at you should see him, pointing out as you say ’at Nancy’s a partner in a manner o’ speaking, and ’at Maniwel’s set on doing her a’ injury. That’s t’ card you want t’ play wi’ John; and happen you’d pull it off where I should mullock it.” “It’s one of those jobs where they don’t expect a man to take the master’s place,” said Inman with crafty hesitation. “I’d go in a minute if I thought it was the best plan; but will Mr. Clegg like it?” “Of course he will; and if he doesn’t he can lump it,” replied Baldwin, who knew that he was no match for his foreman in a wordy argument with a man of the world like his banker. “If you hadn’t ha’ been Nancy’s husband it ’ud ha’ been different; but seeing as you are there’s naught more fitting. If you could catch t’ noon train you could be back i’ t’ morning, or maybe to-night.” “Very well,” said Inman; “but don’t expect me before morning. These are jobs that can’t be hurried, and a bit of time lost is neither here nor there.”