“Johnnie,” said Potts, taking a long breath, “since Clark isn’t here I don’t mind telling you that my candid opinion is them debts isn’t worth a rush. A great crowd of people came here for money. I didn’t hardly ask a question. I shelled out royally. I wanted to be known, so as to get into Parliament some day. I did what is called ‘going it blind.’” “How much is owing you?” “The books say five hundred and thirteen thousand pounds--but it’s doubtful if I can get any of it. And now Smithers & Co. will be down on me at once.” “What do you intend to do?” “I don’t know.” “Haven’t you thought?” “No, I couldn’t.” “Well, I have.” “What?” “You’ll have to try to compromise.” “What if they won’t?” John shrugged his shoulders, and said nothing. “After all,” resumed Potts, hopefully, “it can’t be so bad. The estate is worth two millions.” “Pooh!” “Isn’t it?” “Of course not. You know what you bought it for.” “That’s because it was thrown away.” “Well, it’ll have to be thrown away again.” “Oh, Smithers & Co.’ll be easy. They don’t care for money.” “Perhaps so. The fact is, I don’t understand Smithers & Co. at all. I’ve tried to see through their little game, but can’t begin to do it.” “Oh, that’s easy enough! They knew I was rich, and let me have what money I wanted.” John looked doubtful. At this moment a rap was heard at the back door. “There comes Clark!” said he. Potts opened the door. Clark entered. His face was flushed, and his eyes bloodshot. “See here,” said he, mysteriously, as he entered the room. “What?” asked the others, anxiously. “There’s two chaps at the inn. One is the Italian--” “Langhetti!” “Ay,” said Clark, gloomily; “and the other is his mate--that fellow that helped him to carry off the gal. They’ve done it again this time, and my opinion is that these fellows are at the bottom of all our troubles. You know _whose son he is_.” Potts and John exchanged glances. “I went after that devil once, and I’m going to try it again. This time I’ll take some one who isn’t afraid of the devil. Johnnie, is the dog at the Hall?” “Yes.” “All right!” said Clark. “I’ll be even with this fellow yet, if he is in league with the devil.” With these words Clark went out, and left the two together. A glance of savage exultation passed over the face of Potts. “If he comes back successful,” said he, “all right, and if he doesn’t, why then”--He paused. “If he doesn’t come back,” said John, finishing the sentence for him, “why then--all righter.” CHAPTER LI. A STRUGGLE. All the irresolution which for a time had characterized Despard had vanished before the shock of that great discovery which his father’s manuscript had revealed to him. One purpose now lay clearly and vividly before him, one which to so loyal and devoted a nature as his was the holiest duty, and that was vengeance on his father’s murderers.