“My head becomes so bewildered,” said Dolly, “that I can hardly understand it yet.”

“I think I understand it; but I can only guess at his mind.  But he has got Tyrrwhit to accept forty thousand pounds, which is the sum he, in truth, advanced.  The stake is too great for the man to lose it without ruin.  He can get it back now, and save himself.  But Hart is the more determined blackguard.  He, with two others, has a claim for thirty-five thousand pounds, for which he has given but ten thousand pounds in hard cash, and he thinks that he may get some profit out of Tyrrwhit’s money, and holds out.”

“For how much?”

“For the entire debt, he tells me; but I know that he is trying to deal with Tyrrwhit.  Tyrrwhit would pay him five thousand, I think, so as to secure the immediate payment of his own money.  Then there are a host of others who are contented to take what they have advanced, but not contented if Hart is to have more.  There are other men in the background who advanced the money.  All the rascaldom of London is let loose upon me.  But Hart is the one man who holds his head the highest.”

“But if they will accept no terms they will get nothing,” said Dolly.  “If once they attempt to go to law all will be lost.”

“There are wheels within wheels.  When the old man dies Mountjoy himself will probably put in a claim to the entire estate, and will get some lawyer to take up the case for him.”

“You would not?”

“Certainly not, because I know that Augustus is the eldest legitimate son.  As far as I can make it out, Augustus is at present allowing Mountjoy the money on which he lives.  His father does not.  But the old man must know that Augustus does, though he pretends to be ignorant.”

“But why is Hart to get money out of Tyrrwhit?”

“To secure the payment of the remainder.  Mr. Tyrrwhit would be very glad to get his forty thousand pounds back; would pay five thousand pounds to get the forty back.  But nothing will be paid unless they all agree to join in freeing the property.  Therefore Hart, who is the sharpest rascal of the lot, stands out for some share of his contemplated plunder.”

“And you must be joined in such an arrangement?”

“Not at all.  I cannot help surmising what is to be done.  In dealing with the funds of the property I go to the men, and say to them so much, and so much, and so much you have actually lost.  Agree among yourselves to accept that, and it shall be paid to you.  That is honest?”

“I do not know.”

“But I do.  Every shilling that the son of my client has had from them my client is ready to pay.  There is some hitch among them, and I make my surmises.  But I have no dealings with them.  It is for them to come to me now.”  Dolly only shook her head.  “You cannot touch pitch and not be defiled.”  That was what Dolly said, but said it to herself.  And then she went on and declared to herself still farther, that Mr. Barry was pitch.  She knew that Mr. Barry had seen Hart, and had seen Tyrrwhit, and had been bargaining with them.  She excused her father because he was her father; but according to her thinking there should have been no dealings with such men as these, except at the end of a pair of tongs.