"Anyway, you're not supposed to sleep in the office," smiled the girl,

rising.

Bones pushed open the door for her, bowed as she passed, and followed

her. He drew a chair up to the desk, and she sat down without further

protest, because she had come to know that his attentions, his

extravagant politeness and violent courtesies, signified no more than

was apparent--namely, that he was a great cavalier at heart.

"I think you ought to know," he said gravely, "that an attempt was made

this morning to rob me of umpteen pounds."

"To rob you?" said the startled girl.

"To rob me," said Bones, with relish. "A dastardly plot, happily

frustrated by the ingenuity of the intended victim. I don't want to

boast, dear old miss. Nothing is farther from my thoughts or wishes,

but what's more natural when a fellow is offered a----"

He stopped and frowned.

"Yes?"

"A precious metal refiner's---- That's rum," said Bones.

"Rum?" repeated the girl hazily. "What is rum?"

"Of all the rummy old coincidences," said Bones, with restrained and

hollow enthusiasm--"why, only this morning I was reading in Twiddly

Bits, a ripping little paper, dear old miss---- There's a column

called 'Things You Ought to Know,' which is honestly worth the

twopence."

"I know it," said the girl curiously. "But what did you read?"

"It was an article called 'Fortunes Made in Old Iron,'" said Bones.

"Now, suppose this naughty old refiner---- By Jove, it's an idea!"

He paced the room energetically, changing the aspect of his face with

great rapidity, as wandering thoughts crowded in upon him and vast

possibilities shook their alluring banners upon the pleasant scene he

conjured. Suddenly he pulled himself together, shot out his cuffs,

opened and closed all the drawers of his desk as though seeking

something--he found it where he had left it, hanging on a peg behind

the door, and put it on--and said with great determination and

briskness: "Stivvins' Wharf, Greenhithe. You will accompany me. Bring your

note-book. It is not necessary to bring a typewriter. I will arrange

for a taxicab. We can do the journey in two hours."

"But where are you going?" asked the startled girl.

"To Stivvins'. I am going to look at this place. There is a

possibility that certain things have been overlooked. Never lose an

opportunity, dear old miss. We magnates make our fortune by never

ignoring the little things."




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