"
"I might be able to get it for you."
"Yes; that's a kind of humbug a hundred years old. We've heard all about
little Premium and his friend in the City, and so on, from that man who
wrote plays and cut a figure in Parliament. You can give me the money on
the spot if you like, Kaye; and if I didn't want ready money very badly I
shouldn't come to you. The insurance company will give me five thousand
in a month or two. I can give you my bill at two months' date, and
deposit the policy in your hands as collateral security. I might get this
money from other quarters--from my bankers', for instance; but I don't
want to let them know too much."
Mr. Kaye deliberated. He had assisted Mr. Sheldon's financial operations,
and had profited thereby. Money advanced upon such a security must be as
safe as money invested in Consols, unless there were anything doubtful in
the circumstances of the policy; and that, with a man of Mr. Sheldon's
respectability, was to the last degree unlikely.
"When do you want this money?" he asked at last.
"At the beginning of next week. On the twenty-fifth at latest."
"And this is the twentieth. Sharp work."
"Not at all. You could give me the money this afternoon, if you pleased."
"Well, I'll think it over. It's a matter in which I feel myself bound to
take my solicitor's opinion. Suppose you meet him here to-morrow at
twelve o'clock? You can bring the necessary evidence to support the
claim--the doctor's and registrar's certificate, and so on?"
"Yes," Mr.
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