Then taking from the little pouch which she wore at her belt a roll of notes, she counted out on the table nine notes of one hundred pounds each.

As she put down the last she said: 'Miss Norman asked me to say that a hundred pounds is added to the sum you specified to her, as doubtless the usurers would, since you are actually behind the time promised for repayment, require something extra as a solatium or to avoid legal proceedings already undertaken.

In fact that they would "put more salt on your tail." The expression, I regret to say, is not mine.' Leonard folded up the notes, put them into his pocket-book, and walked away.

He did not feel like adding verbal thanks to the document already signed.

As he got near the door the thought struck him; turning back he said: 'May I ask if Stephen said anything about getting the document ?' 'I beg your pardon,' she said icily, 'did you speak of any one ?' 'Miss Norman, I meant!' Miss Rowly's answer to this came so smartly that it left an added sting.