feel that it was very little gold for so considerable a circumstance of paper formalities and violence, "of course" when Jimmy interrupted him.
"I need not tell you the sum," said that youth rather coldly.
"Oh, no," twittered Melba, "he knows that well enough!" Then added, "G-r-r-r!" as in anger at a dog.
"Well—er—gentlemen, I confess"—began Mr. Higginson, hesitating.
"To be frank," said Jimmy rather sharply, " we all three know the sum perfectly well, and you perhaps, sir, with your business habits and your really peculiar ideas upon honour, best of all. It 's two thousand pounds," he concluded calmly.
"Two thousand pounds?" shrieked the Professor.
"What did you expect?" broke in Melba an octave higher. "A bonus and a presentation gold watch?"
"Two thousand pounds!" repeated the bewildered Philosopher in a gasping undertone.
"Yes," rapped out Jimmy smartly, "two thousand pounds! … Really! After all that has passed"
"But," shouted the Professor wildly, saying
