"It is not a large amount," Wingrave said. "I do not see how you can
carry on business unless you can command such a sum as this."
Nesbitt moistened his dry lips with his tongue.
"I have only been doing a very small business, sir," he answered, "but
quite enough to make a living. I don't speculate as a rule. Hardwells
seemed perfectly safe, or I wouldn't have touched them. I sold at
four. They are not worth one. I could have bought thousands last week
for two dollars."
"That is beside the question," Wingrave answered. "If you do not pay
this, you have cheated me out of my profits for I should have placed
the commission with brokers who could. Why did you wish to see me
again?"
"I thought that you might give me time," Nesbitt answered, raising his
head and looking Wingrave straight in the face. "It seems rather a low
down thing to come begging. I'd rather cut my right hand off than do
it for myself, but I've--someone else to think about, and if I'm
hammered, I'm done for. Give me a chance, Mr. Wingrave! I'll pay you
in time."
"What do you ask for?" Wingrave said.
"I thought that you might give me time," Nesbitt said, "and I'll pay
you the rest off with the whole of my profits every year."
"A most absurd proposal," Wingrave said coolly. "I will instruct my
brokers to take twenty thousand dollars down, and wait one week for
the balance. That is the best offer I can make you.
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