"Yes; as his friend--as the friend of his wife; as one who loves his child. Now listen, Thickens. To what amount do you suppose Hallam is a defaulter?" "How can I tell, sir? It is impossible to say. It can't be hushed up." "It must, it shall be hushed up," said Bayle sternly. "Now, look here; I insist upon your keeping what you know quiet for the present." Thickens shook his head. "I did not tell you, but Sir Gordon suspects something to be wrong." "Sir Gordon does, sir?" "Yes; he consulted me about the matter." "Then my course is easy," said Thickens brightening. "Not so easy, perhaps, as you think," said Bayle coldly. "You must be silent till I have seen Hallam." "Seen him, sir? Why, it's giving him warning to escape." "Seen him and Sir Gordon, James Thickens. It would be a terrible scandal for Dixons' Bank if it were known, and utter ruin and disgrace for Hallam." "Yes," said Thickens, "and he deserves it." "We must not talk about our deserts, Thickens," said Bayle gravely. "Now listen to me. I find I can realise in a very few days the sum of twenty-four thousand pounds." Thickens's eyes dilated. "Whatever amount of that is needed, even to the whole, I am going to place in Robert Hallam's hands, to clear himself and redeem these securities, and then he must leave the town quietly, and in good repute." "In good repute?" "For his wife's sake, sir. Do you understand?" "No," said Thickens quietly. "No man could understand such a sacrifice as that. You mean to say that you are going to give up your fortune-- all you have--to save that gambling scoundrel from what he deserves?" "Yes." "But, Mr Bayle--" "Silence! I have made my plans, sir. Now, Mr Thickens, you see that I am not going to defraud the customers of the bank, but to replace their deeds." "God bless you, sir! I beg your pardon humbly. I'm a poor ignorant brute, with no head for anything but figures and--my fish. And just now I wouldn't take your hand. Mr Bayle, sir, will you forgive me?" "Forgive! I honour you, Thickens, as a sterling, honest man--shake hands. There, now you know my plans." "Oh yes, sir, I understand you!" cried Thickens; "but you must not do that, sir. You must not indeed!" "I can do as I please with my own, Thickens. Save for my charities, money is of little use to me. There, now I must go. I shall see Hallam as soon as he is at the bank. I will not go to his house, for nothing must be done to excite suspicion. You will help me?" Thickens hesitated. "I ask it for Mrs Hallam's sake--for the sake of Doctor and Mrs Luttrell. Come, you will help me in this. You came to me for my advice last night. I have changed it during the past few hours. There, I have you on my side?" "Yes, sir; but you must hold me free with Sir Gordon. Bah! no; I'll take my chance, sir. Yes: I'll help you as you wish." "I trust you will, Thickens," said Bayle quietly. "And you are determined, sir?--your fortune--all you have?"