"I must say I'm sorry about Carew," remarked Charlesworth. "He's been with us ever since the formation of the Company--and you recollect we sent him abroad two years ago upon the Elektra deal. He made a splendid bargain--one that has brought us over twenty thousand pounds." "And he was paid a bonus of twenty-pounds, wasn't he?" snapped Rodwell impatiently. "Surely that was enough?" "But really I think we should keep him; he is very valuable." "No, Charlesworth. Let him go. Give him the best of references, if you like. But we must cut down expenses, if you and I are to live at all." "We must live at the expense of these poor devils, I suppose," remarked Charlesworth, with a slight sigh. Truth to tell, he could not express his repugnance. "Yes. Surely we are the masters. And capital must live!" was the other's hard reply. "But where is Sainsbury going?" Rodwell inquired quickly. "What does he intend doing?" "I have no idea," the manager said. "He behaved most mysteriously when I told him that his services were no longer required." "Mysteriously!" exclaimed Rodwell, starting and looking straight across at his companion. "How?" "Well, he expressed undisguised pleasure at leaving us--that's all." "What did he say?" asked Lewin Rodwell, in an instant deeply interested. "Tell me exactly what transpired. I have a reason--a very strong reason--for ascertaining. Tell me," he urged, with an eagerness which was quite unusual to him. "Tell me the whole facts." CHAPTER SEVEN. THE SPIDER'S WEB. Three weeks went past--dark, breathless weeks in England's history. Jack Sainsbury, keeping the knowledge to himself, spent many deep and thoughtful hours over his friend's tragic end. Several times he suggested to Mr Trustram that, in order to clear up the mystery, the sealed letter should be opened. But Trustram--having given his word of honour to the dead man--argued, and quite rightly, that there was no mystery regarding Jerrold's death. He had simply committed suicide. Rodwell and Charles Trustram had, by this time, become very friendly. The latter had been introduced to Sir Boyle Huntley, and the pair had soon introduced the Admiralty official into a higher circle of society than he had ever before attained. Indeed, within a few weeks Rodwell, prime mover of several patriotic funds, had become Trustram's bosom friend. So intimate did they become that they frequently played golf together at Sunningdale, Berkhampstead or Walton Heath, on such occasions when Trustram could snatch an hour or so of well-earned recreation from the Admiralty; and further, on two occasions Sir Boyle had given him very valuable financial tips--advice which had put into his pocket a very considerable sum in hard cash. Admiralty officials are not too well paid for their splendid and untiring work, therefore to Charles Trustram this unexpected addition to his income was truly welcome.