Melba made himself pleasant by an interjection—
"What a vile old shuffler it is!" he said.
And Mr. Higginson saw written on the note, dated but a week before—
James Macaulay, Esq.,
"Sir,
"I will have no further correspondence with you upon the matter.
"I am,
"Your obedient Servant,
"J. Brassington."
It was a strong, hard but rapid hand, the hand of a man who had done much clerk's work in his youth. It had certainly no resemblance to the signature which the Psychologist had appended to the cheque form, and that form now lay torn into twenty pieces by the angry Jimmy, who had also torn up the counterfoil and presented him with another cheque.
"I can't do it, gentlemen!" he said firmly—it was indeed too true—"I can't do it!"
Melba jumped up suddenly.
