I. A. R. Wylie

“ There are a lot like you, Ash. I was just reckoning as you came in that Blankley keeps a thousand men and women on the same terms—men and women who serve faithfully and who look to Blankley's for the present and the future. It's a big responsibility, Ash.”
The Ghost looked up timidly. This reflective mood in a man who never wasted words was unusual and rather terrifying.
“Yes sir?”
“You're attached to the firm, Ash?”
“Yes sir.”
Beverley shifted his position. Figuratively he seemed to envelop the head-clerk, to overshadow him with the massiveness of his personality. ”

“ Ash said sharply.
“I'm going. This is my last day. I sail this evening.”
“Sail? Where to?”
“Australia. Steerage. I mean to try sheep-farming. Perhaps I shall be just good enough for that.”
Ash caught his breath. They were standing together in a narrow passage, and instinctively he put his hand against the wall for support. Middleton faced the light. There was a grim little smile about his mouth.
“It was awfully decent of Beverley to give me that money,” he said. “Otherwise I should be stranded. Nobody wants useless objects like myself about the place.”
Ash made no answer for a minute. ”

“ Fresh orders from France. He wants to start a factory out there. What do you think, Ash?”
“We can afford to run a risk or two, sir.”
“That's what I think.” Peter Middleton leaned back in his chair and gazed contentedly round the handsome office. “It seems almost too good to be true,” he added solemnly.
“What, sir?”
“Why, everything. Just think, if you hadn't discovered at the last moment that my invention was worth something, and if Beverley hadn't been so splendid about it, I should be sheep-farming by now—and a lot of good I should have been too.”
“Indeed you saved the firm, sir.” ”

“ Beverley waved an introductory hand.
“Ash, this is Middleton, a new hand in the engine-testing department. Middleton, this is Mr. Ash, my expert. Pray be seated.” He gave the Ghost a quick glance. “Mr. Ash and I were talking about you as you came in, weren't we, Ash?”
“Yes sir.” The head clerk answered mechanically. The habit of living in a meek affirmative had become second nature to him and the idea of a denial was as far from him as the poles.
“It is very kind of you,” said Peter Middleton sincerely.
“Not at all. It's a matter of business. ”

“ Ash, Cecil Arthur Ash, the insignificant, the Ghost, was to save Blankley's and with Blankley's himself and a thousand others. By the time the door opened again the semi-detached villa had become a mansion, Mr. Beverley had vanished and Mr. Ash had appropriated the managerial chair together with the diamond tie-pin and the watch-chain.
“Peter Middleton, if you please, sir.”
MR. ASH perceived that the young man who entered was good-looking and well made. His clothes were shabby, but they fitted him with a certain elegance never obtained by Mr. Ash's own special reach-me-downs. ”

“ Gregory. He leaned back in his chair and pushed his glasses off his nose onto his forehead. “I believe I know you,” he added, but without any particular gratification.
“I should hope so—I'm Peter Middleton's wife.” She took out a minute gold puff-box and lifting her veil, powdered a small and attractive nose with artistic exactitude. “I've been crying, and that always makes my nose red. It doesn't matter, does it? One has no secrets from one's doctor.” ”

“ Beverley. I make you a present of them. If they are worthless—well, I don't want money for them. I'll take your advice—I'll try sheep-farming. That may suit my capacities better” He turned away with a hard laugh. “Good afternoon, sir.”
“Good afternoon, Middleton. I'm very sorry—”
The door slammed to. Beverley set his great shoulders against it. He was breathing heavily like a man who has won a hard race. “You've done it, Ash,” he said. “You've done it.”
“I don't understand, sir—I don't understand—”
“You don't need to. But we've saved Blankley's between us—”
“You mean—”
“Why, man! ”

“ Only—only I wanted you to know that I'd rather be in the gutter with you, honest, than in a real villa with our own servant and—and visiting-cards and knowing that you—we'd done wrong to anyone.”
“My dear!” he said huskily. They kissed each other again. It was very unusual, but she accompanied him to the gate and even watched him to the end of the road where he turned and waved back to her. Such a thing had not happened for twenty years. ”

“ The directors have resigned. I intend to float a new company with Mr. Middleton as managing director. That's all.”
Beverley exploded.
“All! The fools—the utter fools! If they had told me—warned me! Why, in six months I could have made the Company the richest in England—I could have made them all millionaires. I tell you—that invention's worth thousands—”
“Is it?” said the lady sweetly. “Did you or Mr. Ash say so?” ”

“ At the present moment he's as strong as a horse, but I don't believe he's earned a penny. He invented something or other, and for a time I had hopes; but now that's no good and I'm sick of it—perfectly sick of it. I want my husband. Dr. Gregory, I insist on having him back. ”

“ Middleton himself will bear me witness that it was you who suggested twenty pounds as a fair price. If the invention turns out a success—so much the better. If there wasn't a chance of success, no firm would venture anything.” His smile broadened. “You wont get much sympathy when you go out into the world with your story, my good friend.”
“You—” ”

“ And look here; suppose your Peter was persuaded to come back, what do you suppose will happen? It will be the old trouble all over again. He'll worry himself into his grave over the money he hasn't earned and spend his days doling it out to the wrong people. At the end of six months he'll be the same mental and physical wreck he was. Have you thought of that?”
Mrs. Peter Middleton nodded. Her mouth was quivering, and Dr. Gregory got up abruptly and began a hasty promenade round his consulting-table. Mrs. Peter Middleton continued silent, but Dr. ”