taken. As for your situation between the devil and the deep sea, that's easy. Avoid the deep sea, unless you're a good swimmer, but resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
Corbitt smiled grimly.
"That's exactly what I resolved to do," he said.
"Then you're not yet out of the dilemma?"
"No, the devil still goeth about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, which seems to be Selwyn's Bank."
"Ah, the bank's in a bad way, is it?"
"No; it never was in a better position."
"Then what is there to growl about?"
"I'm not growling."
"Oh, excuse me; I thought you were. I see you've set out to bewilder me. I shall become puffed up by thinking you regretted my absence."
"No; I thank whatever gods there be that you were out of the country."
"This is brutal, Corbitt!"
"Your absence gave me a chance for once to have my own way, because I speedily overcame Sir George Selwyn's opposition. I feared an unexpected return on your part, for I thought it likely you would support him."
"Your surmise was quite correct."
