“Shall I say so to him?” was asked, in a tone that involved a warning of consequences.

“You can say to him what you please,” answered Ellis, sharply.

“Oh! very well!”

The man turned away, and walked towards the door.  He paused, however, after going a short distance; stood, as if reflecting, for some moments, and, then came back.

“You had better think over this a little;” said he, in a conciliatory voice.  “The debt is, I need not remind you, one of honour; and it is neither wise nor safe for a man of business to let such a debt be handed over for legal collection.  You understand, I presume?”

The suggestion caused Ellis to start, involuntarily.  He saw, at a glance, the dangerous position in which he stood.  Only by retaining a fair credit would it be possible for him to surmount his present difficulties; and his credit would be instantly blasted if a suit were brought against him by a man he had now good reasons to believe was known in the community as a gambler.

“You understand me?” repeated the collector, in a tone of marked significance.

Ellis tried to regain his self-possession, and affect indifference.  But his feelings were poorly disguised.

“Just say to Mr. Carlton,” he replied, “that it is not my purpose to give him any trouble about this matter.  I will take up the due-bills.  But I have some heavy payments to make, and cannot do it just now.”

“When will it be done?”

“That I am unable, just now, to say.”

“Can’t you give me a part of the money today?”

Ellis shook his head.

“I have notes in bank, and they must take the precedence of all other payments.”

“To-morrow, then?”

“I have five hundred dollars to pay to-morrow.”

The man’s countenance began to lower.

“Just go to Mr. Carlton, if you please, and tell him what I say.  He’s a man of common sense;—­he will listen to reason.”

“My orders to collect were imperative,” persisted the man.

“Tell him that you can’t collect to-day.  That I must and will have time.  There now!  Go!  I’ve something else to do besides arguing this matter fruitlessly.”

The collector turned off with an angry, threatening look.  A few minutes after he was gone, and ere the mind of Ellis had recovered its balance, a customer called in and paid a bill of a hundred dollars.  This awakened a feeling of confidence; and, in a hopeful spirit, Ellis went forth to make arrangements for the balance of what was wanted for the day.  He found no difficulty in procuring the sum he needed, which was four hundred dollars.  After taking up his note, he called upon his friend Wilkinson with the two hundred dollars he had failed to return the day before, when, after apologizing for his neglect, he asked him how he would be off in regard to money matters during the ensuing two weeks.