It did not suit his plans to fall back upon his credit just yet.

It has been already shown that he was a man of ready resource.

He rang the bell and summoned his senior clerk.
"Good morning, John," he said affably.
"Good morning, Mr.Girdlestone, good morning, sir," said wizened little John Gilray, rubbing his thin yellow hands together, as a sign of his gratification.
"I hear, John, that you have come into a legacy lately," Mr.Girdlestone said.
"Yes, sir.

Fifteen hundred pounds, sir.

Less legacy duty and incidental expenses, fourteen hundred and twenty-eight six and fourpence.