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318 any impression upon him, but the moment he sees my cheque for twenty-six thousand pounds pass into your hands, he must realise that you have, for the time, at least, got out of his grasp. He will know in a flash that victory has removed to a distance which he is not able at that moment to estimate. It is when he is in this frame of mind that I expect you to be able to negotiate with him. He will prefer to take the half loaf rather than go without bread altogether."

"I'd feel safer, Stranleigh, if you promised to join us after you learn that Preston has refused to deal with us at all."

"All right," cried his lordship, springing to his feet, as joyously as if someone had challenged him to a game of billiards, "I'll stand by you."

"Nevertheless," demurred Mackeller, "I don't want to lure you into a fight which you consider hopeless."

"My dear fellow, nothing is hopeless until your mind says it is so. Hopelessness is a mental quality, not something pertaining to a case. The hopeful man may lose a fight occasionally, but all the same, his very hopefulness makes him enjoy the contest while it is on. Now, the hopeless man neither enjoys the contest, nor ever wins a fight."

"Perhaps you've evolved some scheme already for the struggle with Preston when he has refused to compromise."