"So at least I understood; five hundred pounds, I think it was, they
rose ten points or so, giving you the handsome profit of five thousand
pounds."
He still looked at me inquiringly; but suddenly he smiled grimly, and
stared for a few minutes out of the window. Then, slowly, he drew a
piece of paper and a pen towards him, and looked up.
"What did you say the name of the rubber company was, monsieur?"
I had won. In a boyish impulse I seized his hand and shook it
violently.
"Hurrah! I was so afraid that you would continue in your refusal."
He laughed outright.
"I have never known anyone so anxious to part with money before, and,
monsieur, I was desperately anxious that you should think of a way out;
it means so much to my men. As it is, I shall become almost too
popular, thanks to you."
For the next hour we discussed ways and means. I was to write home, and
inform my stepfather of what I had done; and he was to send a letter
with a draft to Quarovitch, purporting to come from a banker. The
spending of the money, I would have nothing to say about, and told him
so.
"You know what the men require, I don't, I leave it therefore entirely
to you. Do as you think best; and mind you keep up your investments,
for when I come again, in a little while, God willing, you must have had
another lucky stroke of business."
"I will keep an account of every penny, to await your return."
"Which will be waste of labour, Colonel, for I shall put it in the fire
unread; you have quite enough to do, to spend the money, without
clerking."
His stern old face twitched, and he said huskily:
"God bless you, until your return, Monsieur Stefan."
Our interview had lasted longer than we had expected; and we had to
hurry, to get back to the inn at the time appointed.
We found our guide to be, waiting, with a small shaggy horse, laden with
our properties; he saluted as we hurried up.
"I have everything your Excellencies require," he said.
He would have proceeded to tell us how clever he had been in his
bargaining, but we cut him short; and I went into the inn to settle our
account. I sent a boy to find the host and then entered the dining-room
to wait for him. I walked to the window and looked out, deep in
thought.
"A deliberate cut," said a voice behind me.