Jasper smiled. It not unfrequently happened that his clients came to him for money, and not unfrequently he managed to find some for them--of course through some friend, always through some friend "in the City," who demanded and obtained a tolerably large interest. Jasper smiled, and wondered how much the captain wanted, and whether it would be safe to lend it. "What is it?" he said. "You know the Rookery?" asked the captain. Jasper nodded. "I was there the other night--I'm there every night, I'm afraid," he added; "but I am referring to the night before last----" "Yes," said Jasper, intending to help him. "And luck went against you, and you lost a pile." "No, I didn't," said the captain; "I won a pile." "I congratulate you," said Jasper, with a cool smile. "I won a pile!" said the captain, "from all round; but principally from a young fellow--a mere boy, who was there as a visitor, introduced by young Bellamy--know young Bellamy?" "Yes, yes," said Jasper--he was very busy. "Everybody knows Bellamy. Well!" "Well, the young fellow--I was awfully sorry for him, and tried to persuade him to turn it up, but he wouldn't. You know what youngsters are when they are green at this confounded game?" Jasper nodded again rather more impatiently. Scrivell would be back directly, and he was anxious to hear the result of his scrutiny. "Luck went with him at first, and he won a good deal, but it turned after a time and I was the better by a cool hundred and fifty; I stopped at that--it was too much as it was to win from a youngster, and he gave me his I O U." The captain paused and lit another cigarette. "Next morning, being rather pressed--did I tell you I went home with Gooch and one or two others and lost the lot?" he broke off, simply. Jasper smiled. "No, you did not mention it, but I can quite believe it. Go on." "Next morning, being rather pressed--I wanted to pay my own I O U's--I looked him up to collect his." "And he put you off, and you want me to help you," said Jasper, smiling behind his white hand. "No, I don't. I wish you'd hear me out," said the captain, not unnaturally aggrieved by the repeated interruption. "I beg your pardon!" said Jasper. "I thought I should help to bring you to the point. But, there, tell it your own way." "He didn't refuse; he gave me a bill," said the captain; "said he was sorry he couldn't manage the cash, but expecting me to call had got a bill ready." "Which you naturally declined to accept from a perfect stranger," said Jasper. "Which I did nothing of the sort," said the captain, coolly. "It was backed by Bellamy, and that was good enough for me. Bellamy's name written across the back, making himself responsible for the money, if the young fellow didn't pay." "I understand what a bill is," said Jasper, with a smile. "Of course," assented the captain, puffing at his cigarette, "Bellamy's name, mind, which was good enough for me." "And for most people."