That he had borrowed it on the written statement
that it was to be laid out in furtherance of a speculation which he
expected would raise him to independence; he being, at the time of
writing that letter, no more than a clerk in the house of Dringworth
Brothers, America Square, London. That the money was borrowed for a
stipulated period; but that, when the term was out, the aforesaid
speculation failed, and Clissold was without means of repayment. That,
hereupon, he had written to his creditor, in no very persuasive terms,
vaguely requesting further time. That the creditor had refused this
concession, declaring that he could not afford delay. That Clissold then
paid the debt, accompanying the remittance of the money with an angry
letter describing it as having been advanced by a relative to save him
from ruin. That, in acknowlodging the receipt, Raybrock had cautioned
Clissold to seek to borrow money of him no more, as he would never so
risk money again.
Before the lawyer the captain said never a word in reference to these
discoveries. But when the papers had been put back in their box, and he
and his two companions were well out of the office, his right leg
suffered for it, and he said,--
"So far this run's begun with a fair wind and a prosperous; for don't you
see that all this agrees with that dutiful trust in his father maintained
by the slow member of the Raybrock family?"
Whether the brothers had seen it before or no, they saw it now.
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