The seriousness of the whole affair confronted him.

For a brief instant he gazed at the floor, his eyes on the hearthrug, "Have you any money left, St.George ?" he asked.

His voice was subdued enough now.

Had he been his solicitor he could not have been more concerned.
"Yes, a few thousand," returned St.George.He saw that some unexpected shot had hit the colonel, but he did not know he had fired it.
"Left over from the mortgage, I suppose ?--less what you paid out for Harry ?" "Yes, left over from the mortgage, less what I paid Gadgem," he bridled.
"If you have brought any more of Harry's bills hand them out.

Why the devil you ask, Talbot, is beyond my ken, but I have no objection to your knowing." Rutter waved his hand impatiently, with a deprecating gesture; such trifles were no longer important.
"You bank with the Patapsco, do you not ?" he asked calmly.