One morning—­it was a few months after the date of the copartnership—­Mrs. Dinneford received a note from Freeling.  It said, briefly,

“At the usual place, 12 M. to-day.  Important.”  There was no signature.

The sharp knitting of her brows and the nervous crumpling of the note in her hand showed that she was not pleased at the summons.  She had come already to know her partner in evil too well.  At 12 M. she was in the hotel parlor.  Freeling was already there.  They met in external cordiality, but it was very evident from the manner of Mrs. Dinneford, that she felt herself in the man’s power, and had learned to be afraid of him.

“It will be impossible to get through to-morrow,” he said, in a kind of imperative voice, that was half a threat, “unless we have two thousand dollars.”

“I cannot ask Mr. Dinneford for anything more,” Mrs. Dinneford replied; “we have already furnished ten thousand dollars beyond the original investment.”

“But it is all safe enough—­that is, if we do not break down just here for lack of so small a sum.”

Mrs. Dinneford gave a start.

“Break down!” She repeated the words in a husky, voice, with a paling face.  “What do you mean?”

“Only that in consequence of having in store a large stock of unsalable goods bought by your indiscreet son-in-law, who knows no more about business than a child, we are in a temporary strait.”

“Why did you trust him to buy?” asked Mrs. Dinneford.

“I didn’t trust him.  He bought without consulting me,” was replied, almost rudely.

“Will two thousand be the end of this thing?”

“I think so.”

“You only think so?”

“I am sure of it.”

“Very well; I will see what can be done.  But all this must have an end, Mr. Freeling.  We cannot supply any more money.  You must look elsewhere if you have further need.  Mr. Dinneford is getting very much annoyed and worried.  You surely have other resources.”

“I have drawn to the utmost on all my resources,” said the man, coldly.

Mrs. Dinneford remained silent for a good while, her eyes upon the floor.  Freeling watched her face intently, trying to read what was in her thoughts.  At last she said, in a suggestive tone,

“There are many ways of getting money known to business-men—­a little risky some of them, perhaps, but desperate cases require desperate expedients.  You understand me?”

Freeling took a little time to consider before replying.

“Yes,” he said, at length, speaking slowly, as one careful of his words.  “But all expedients are ‘risky,’ as you say—­some of them very risky.  It takes a long, cool head to manage them safely.”

“I don’t know a longer or cooler head than yours,” returned Mrs. Dinneford, a faint smile playing about her lips.

“Thank you for the compliment,” said Freeling, his lips reflecting the smile on hers.