On reflection, however, he considered that it would be dangerous for him to approach Mr. James Lindsay himself. The shrewd old gentleman would be sure, he thought, to see through his motives. On his return to Glasgow, therefore, he betook himself to Miss Lindsay, and after telling her that Alec could not, and would not, go into ‘the works,’ he informed her of the plan that was on foot, and wound up by saying that Alec was such a clever fellow that it was a shame he should miss his chances for the sake of a little money. Surely his uncle would not grudge to do that much for him. ‘It strikes me,’ said the old lady, ‘that the lad’s best chance of making his fortune is to go into his uncle’s office.’ She threw a keen glance at her visitor as she spoke, but Semple bore it unmoved. ‘I dare say; indeed, I told him so, if I remember right. But he has made up his mind not to go.’ ‘Weel, if he gets the offer of the situation you speak o’, I’ll e’en do my best wi’ Mr. Lindsay; but it winna be muckle, I doot.’ On this Semple took his leave, and that night he went up to London, ostensibly on the affairs of the lawsuit. Beattie and he were old friends, and with his help he managed to convey to Mr. Hatchett the impression that Mr. James Lindsay would be grievously offended if they did not oblige him by taking his nephew into their office. It was all settled in half an hour; and next morning Semple was back in Glasgow. All Miss Lindsay’s eloquence, however, failed to make a deep impression on Uncle James. He would give the lad a hundred pounds, and that was all. ‘The laddie’s a fool,’ said he, ‘a clever fool; and that’s aye the worst kind. If I were to give him mair, it wad a’ come to the same thing in the end.’ Alec’s father happened to be from home when the welcome letter arrived to tell him that the opening he had longed for had been found, and that the money difficulty had been removed. ‘Don’t say too much in thanking your uncle,’ wrote Semple. ‘There is nothing he hates like a fuss being made over his presents; and, after all, there is no doubt you have a kind of claim upon him.’ This, however, was not the way in which Alec looked at the matter. Of course he went at once to see his uncle, and thank him, and his gratitude was so heartfelt that the old man was touched a little. ‘Say nae mair, Alec; say nae mair,’ said he. ‘I hope you’ll do well, and do us credit; and if there should be a positive necessity for it, I dare say another hunder might be forthcoming.’ ‘I trust it will not be necessary, uncle.’ ‘Weel, mony a man has won to the top o’ the tree wi’ less than a hunder pound in his pouch at the start. Guid-day!’