A FORCED RETIREMENT Singleton came down again to Brantholme, bringing his amended report, which met with Herbert's approval.

He spent one wet day walking through turnip fields and stubble in search of partridges, and two delightful evenings with Mrs.Lansing and Sylvia, and then he was allowed to depart.

He had served his purpose, and Herbert was glad to get rid of him.

Lansing generally found it desirable to drop men for whom he had no more use; but he had not done with Singleton.
A day or two later, after his guest had left, Herbert sat in his office in a busy town with an open ledger in front of him.

He looked thoughtful, and, as a matter of fact, he was reviewing the latter part of his business career, which had been marked by risks, boldly faced, but attended by keen anxiety.