Page 541 of 657

"'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have

£ 50,000 at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a sum

ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it a

matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my

position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place

one's self under obligations.'

"'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked.

"'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most

certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you

think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the

money should be paid at once.'

"'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my

own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be

rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do

it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must

insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution

should be taken.'