THE TOUCHSTONE
sha'n't do anything about it. And, Flamel—you won't mention this to any one?"
"Lord, no. Well, I congratulate you. You've got a big thing." Flamel was smiling at him from the hearth.
Glennard, on the threshold, forced a response to the smile, while he questioned with loitering indifference—"Financially, eh?"
"Rather; I should say so."
Glennard's hand lingered on the knob. "How much—should you say? You know about such things."
"Oh, I should have to see the letters; but I should say—well, if you've got enough to fill a book and they're fairly readable, and the book is brought out at the right time—say ten thousand down from the publisher, and possibly one or two more in royalties. If you got the publishers bidding against each other you might do even better; but of course I'm talking in the dark."
"Of course," said Glennard, with sudden dizziness. His hand had slipped from the knob and he stood
[ 50 ]
