The man laughed again. “Not I. Nobody is likely to borrow of you, Leonard. That is quite certain--not even the stoniest broke. Make your mind quite easy. As for my friends in the City, I know very well what to do about them. No; I am here because I want to throw myself upon the family.” “The family consists of your brother, who may be able to help you----” “I’ve asked him. He won’t--Christopher was always a selfish beast. Good fellow to knock about with and all that--ready for anything--but selfish--damned selfish.” “And your aunt Lucy----” “I don’t know her. Who is she?” “She is not able to assist you. And of myself.” “You forget the Head of the Family--my old grandfather. I am going to him.” “You will get nothing out of him--not even a word of recognition.” “I know. I have been down there to look at him. I have been to see his solicitors.” “You will get nothing from them without their client’s authority.” “Well, you know the family affairs, of course. I suppose that a word from you authorising or advising the transfer of a few thousands--or hundreds--out of that enormous pile----” “I have no right to authorise or advise. I know nothing about my great-grandfather’s affairs.” “Tell me, dear boy, what about those accumulations? We mentioned them the other day.” “I know nothing about them.” “Of course, of course. I’m not going to put questions. The bulk of everything will be yours, naturally. I have no objection. I am not going to interfere with you. Only, don’t you think you could go to the people, the agents or solicitors, and put it to them, that, as a son of the House, I should like an advance of--say a thousand pounds?” “I am quite certain beforehand they will do nothing for you.” “You’re a better man of the world than I thought, my boy. I respect you for it. Nobody is to have a finger in the pie but yourself. And you look so damned solemn over it, too.” “I tell you that I know nothing.” “Just so--just so. Well, you know nothing. I’ve made a rough calculation--but never mind. Let the accumulations be. Very good, then, I shall not interfere. Meantime, I want some money. Get me from those lawyers a thousand.” “I cannot get you anything. As for myself, I have not got a thousand pounds in the world. You forget that all I have is my mother’s small fortune of a few hundreds a year. It is not in my power to lend you anything.” He laughed again in his enjoyment of the situation. “Delicious!” he said. “And I said that I wasn’t going to borrow anything. This it is to be a British swell. Well, I don’t mind. I will draw upon you at six months. Come. Long before that time I shall be in funds again.” “No. You shall not even draw upon me at six months,” Leonard replied, with some vague knowledge of what was implied. “You told me you were rich.” “Every man is rich who is a partner in a going concern.” “Then, again, why are you in this tight place?”