Whether Edgar's friendship for Henry sprang from the true root of affection, or was merely the outcome of a desire to stand well in the favour of one whose friendship would be well worth having from a business point of view, cannot be stated with confidence, but there is a fair supposition that it was of the latter quality, since natures like Edgar's are seldom capable of true friendship, though they boil and bubble with good fellowship for all who are brought into relation with them. Perhaps Edgar had learned at an early age the knack of spotting "useful men to know," which accounts for much in the success of those whose endowments are meagre. In any case, the broad result was the same. Henry and Edgar were friends, and if Henry had long since concluded that Edgar was of the empty-headed, rattling order of mankind, still he tolerated him, if merely because he had been one of the first designed by Fate to intimate association with him when the life-battle began. He could even have tolerated the suggestion of friendship between Trevor Smith and himself for the same reason, while knowing now in his heart that Trevor was a humbug. The meeting between the two at the station was very cordial, and Edgar let his imp of news leap free to Henry, to work its wild way in his mind. "You are just in the nick of time, and no mistake. If I hadn't known you would be back to-day, I should have wired you this morning--that is, of course, if a telegram could get to that benighted village of yours." "The nick of time? Wire? What has happened?" "A very great deal. Oh, we've had a nice old kick-up at the _Leader_!" "Kick-up! Have Macgregor and Jones been squabbling again?" "The fact is, Mac has had to resign; it only took place last night, and we all suppose that you will get the crib." "But surely Macgregor has not let one of these wretched bickerings lead to his resignation?" "Oh dear, no! He has done a giddier thing than that, and will clear out of Laysford like a dog with its tail down. The fact is, he has been caught cheating at cards at the Liberal Club, and the _Leader_ cannot afford to be edited by a cheat, don't y' know." "What a fool the man has been; and yet something of the kind was bound to happen. Many a time his fondness for the card-playing gang at the Club has meant double work for me." "That has been the joke since you went away, as old Mac has come rushing into the office about midnight, and vamped up a couple of leaders with the aid of his scissors and the London dailies. We heard Jones and he rowing about the character of his stuff a week ago. It seems that Sir Henry had complained." "Well, I am heartily sorry for his wife and family. I hope the affair may be patched up." "No fear of that. He has got to go with a rush; and why should you be sorry if his shoes are waiting for you?" "Still, I am sorry. As for the shoes, I hope they won't lead my feet the same road." Just a touch of priggishness here; but remember, Henry was young.