A meeting had been called at which the presiding genius was Mr. Tyrrwhit.  You might almost be led to believe that, from the manner in which he made himself at home, Mr. Tyrrwhit was Gurney & Malcolmson.  But there was another there who seemed to be almost as much at home as Mr. Tyrrwhit, and this was Mr. Samuel Hart, whom we last saw when he had unexpectedly made himself known to his friend the captain at Monaco.  He had a good deal to say for himself; and as he sat during the meeting with his hat on, it is to be presumed that he was not in awe of his companions.  Mr. Juniper also was there.  He took a seat at one corner of the table, and did not say much.  There was also a man who, in speaking of himself and his own affairs, always called himself Evans & Crooke.  And there was one Spicer, who sat silent for the most part, and looked very fierce.  In all matters, however, he appeared to agree with Mr. Tyrrwhit.  He is especially named, as his interest in the matter discussed was large.  There were three or four others, whose affairs were of less moment, though to them they were of intense interest.  These gentlemen assembled were they who had advanced money to Captain Scarborough, and this was the meeting of the captain’s creditors, at which they were to decide whether they were to give up their bonds on payment of the sums they had actually advanced, or whether they would stand out till the old squire’s death, and then go to law with the owner of the estate.

At the moment at which we may be presumed to be introduced, Mr. Tyrrwhit had explained the matter in a nervous, hesitating manner, but still in words sufficiently clear.  “There’s the money down now if you like to take it, and I’m for taking it.”  These were the words with which Mr. Tyrrwhit completed his address.

“Circumstances is different,” said the man with his hat on.

“I don’t know much about that, Mr. Hart,” said Tyrrwhit.

“Circumstances is different.  I can’t ’elp whether you know it or not.”

“How different?”

“They is different,—­and that’s all about it.  It’ll perhaps shuit you and them other shentlemen to take a pershentage.”

“It won’t suit Evans & Crooke,” said the man who represented that firm.

“But perhaps Messrs. Evans & Crooke may be willing to save so much of their property,” said Mr. Tyrrwhit.

“They’d like to have what’s due to ’em.”

“We should all like that,” said Spicer, and he gnashed his teeth and shook his head.

“But we can’t get it all,” said Tyrrwhit.

“Speak for yourself, Mr. Tyrrwhit,” said Hart.  “I think I can get mine.  This is the most almighty abandoned swindle I ever met in all my born days.”  The whole meeting, except Mr. Tyrrwhit, received this assertion with loudly expressed applause.  “Such a blackguard, dirty, thieving job never was up before in my time.  I don’t know ’ow to talk of it in language as a man isn’t ashamed to commit himself to.  It’s downright robbery.”