Harry nodded.

“He said, sir, that he’d be damned if he’d pay another cent for a hot-headed fool who had disgraced his family.  He said, sir, that you were of age—­and were of age when you contracted these bills.  He said, sir, that he had already sent you these accounts two days after he had ordered you from his house.  And FInally, sir—­I say, finally, sir, because it appeared to me at the time to be conclusive—­he said, sir, that he would set the dogs on me if I ever crossed his lot again.  Hence, sir, my appearing three times at your door yesterday.  Hence, sir, my breaking in upon you at this unseemly hour in the morning.  I am particular myself, sir, about having my morning meal disturbed; cold coffee is never agreeable, gentlemen—­but in this case you must admit that my intrusion is pardonable.”

The boy understood now.

“Come to think of it I have a bundle of papers upstairs tied with a red string which came with my boxes from Moorlands.  I threw them in the drawer without opening them.”  This last remark was addressed to St. George, who had listened at first with a broad smile on his face, which had deepened to one of intense seriousness as the interview continued, and which had now changed to one of ill-concealed rage.

“Mr. Gadgem,” gritted St. George between his teeth—­he had risen from the table during the colloquy and was standing with his back to the mantel, the blood up to the roots of his hair.

“Yes, sir.”

“Lay the packages of bills with the memoranda on my desk, and I will look them over during the day.”

“But, Mr. Temple,” and his lip curled contemptuously—­he had had that same trick played on him by dozens of men.

“Not another word, Mr. Gadgem.  I said—­I—­would look—­them—­over—­during—­the—­day.  You’ve had some dealings with me and know exactly what kind of a man I am.  When I want you I will send for you.  If I don’t send for you, come here to-morrow morning at ten o’clock and Mr. Rutter will give you his answer.  Todd, show Mr. Gadgem out.”

“But, Mr. Temple—­you forGET that my duty is to—­”

“I forget nothing.  Todd, show Mr. Gadgem out.”

With the closing of the door behind the agent, St. George turned to Harry.  His eyes were snapping fire and his big frame tense with anger.  This phase of the affair had not occurred to him—­nothing in which money formed an important part ever did occur to him.

“A cowardly piece of business, Harry, and on a par with everything he has done since you left his house.  Talbot must be crazy to act as he does.  He can’t break you down in any other way, so he insults you before his friends and now throws these in your face”—­and he pointed to the package of bills where Gadgem had laid it—­“a most extraordinary proceeding.  Please hand me that list.  Thank you. ...  Now this third item ... this five hundred dollars—­did you get that money?”