On the day following the momentous interview between the partners in the firm of Smith & Co., George presented himself at the office in Gutter Lane. Mr. Brooks arrived a little later than usual, and busied himself with some papers at his desk for a while. Just before eleven be took a cheque from his poeket-book, exclaiming, ‘By Jove! Smith, I’d nearly forgotten it!’ ‘Forgotten what, sir?’ said George. ‘Why, I received a cheque from Grigg and Limpet yesterday afternoon to buy tallow with for their client on the open market to-day.’ ‘It isn’t too late to buy tallow, is it?’ asked George, innocently. ‘No, but they only take gold or notes on the market. You must run and cash this at once and bring the money back here. It’s most important we should operate early.’ George had heard of surgical operations, but operations on the tallow market were mysteries of city life which he had not at present penetrated. Anxious to acquire information in order to qualify himself for commercial eminence, he was about to question Mr. Brooks when that gentleman cut him short. ‘Take the chcque at once, Smith; be back quickly,’ he said. ‘Hulloa, it’s payable to order! What a nuisance!’ ‘It must be endorsed, mustn’t it?’ said George, anxious to show what a lot he knew. In the course of his career he had had many cheques payable to his order, and he knew where to write his name. He wasn’t like that innocent major who, having lived all his life on discount, assured the financial agent who offered to do a three months’ bill for him that he didn’t know how to accept one. Mr. Brooks recognized George’s business knowledge with a pleasant smile. Yes, it did require the name of Smith and Co. on the back; but, a most unfortunate thing, he had sprained his thumb, and couldn’t write. ‘Here, Smith,’ he said, tossing the cheque across to him, ‘just write Smith and Co. on the back for me, will you?’ George hesitated. ‘Is that correct, sir?’ he asked. ‘Of course it is! Why, what office have you been brought up in? Any clerk can endorse a firm’s signature; it’s quite usual in large firms.’ George coloured to think how he had betrayed his ignorance. He hastened to atone for it by endorsing the cheque ‘Smith and Co.’ at once. ‘That’s it,’ said Mr. Brooks. ‘Now off you go, and make haste back.’ George took the cheque and, buttoning it securely in his breast-pocket, went off to the bank with it. As he went along he fancied that he was followed. He couldn’t get rid of the idea that a tall dark man with a hook nose was watching him. He put his hand on the pocket containing the cheque and hurried on. At the bank where he presented the cheque, to his astonishment he saw the tall dark man at another desk, and heard him inquire about opening an account. The cashier took the cheque, cancelled the signature, and handed George five hundred-pound notes. The dark man concluded his inquiry, and walked hurriedly out.