He eyed me, fumbling with the seals at his fob. His mind was by no means clear, but professional instinct seemed to warn him that my words were important. "I do not know you, sir," he quavered; "but if you are here with any plan of saving Welland, I must tell you sadly that you waste time. I have thought of a hundred plans, sir, but have found none workable. It has destroyed my rest for months--for, with all his failings, I was sincerely attached to young Mr. Carthew, and no less sincerely to his unhappy lady. I warned him a hundred times: but the debts exist, the mortgagees foreclose, and Welland must go." "Who are the mortgagees?" "A joint-stock company in London, sir, which lives upon this form of usury. Men with bowels of brass. It was against my strongest warning that Mr. Harry went to them." "The amount?" "Thirty-four thousand pounds." "Will the estate sell for that figure?" "Scarcely, at a forced sale; unless some purchaser took a special fancy to it or had some special reason for acquiring it." "Suppose, now, that I offer thirty-four thousand to buy the estate by private contract. Would such an offer be accepted?" "Indubitably. The mortgagees could offer no objection, even if they wished; for they would be paid; but, in fact, they scarcely hope for so much. You will excuse me, however----" "In a moment, Mr. Retallack. Still, supposing that I offer thirty-four thousand, a deposit on the purchase money would be required. Can you name the sum?" "Unless the purchaser were well known in this neighbourhood ten per cent. would be asked, or three thousand four hundred." "Leaving me a hundred," I said musingly. "I beg your pardon?" "Nothing: a bad habit I have of talking to myself. Will you pardon a question of some abruptness? You are acquainted, no doubt, with the present Mrs. James Carthew?" "Slightly." He looked at me in some puzzlement. "She was Mr. James's housekeeper." "So I have heard. Is she a woman of strong mind? with an influence upon her husband?" Mr. Retallack positively smiled. "You may be sure he would never have married her without it. Oh, there's no doubt about the strength of her mind!" "Middle-aged, I believe? With one child, and not likely to have another?" "It astonished us all when this one was born. Indeed, people do say--but I mustn't repeat tattle." "No, indeed. But a man like James Carthew, with a large entail at stake, might be forgiven----" I did not finish my sentence, but stepped to the bell and rang it. "Excuse me, sir," said Mr. Retallack; "you began by promising--at least by holding out some hope--that Welland might be preserved for Mrs. Harry Carthew and her son. But so far you have told me nothing except that you wish to purchase it yourself."