"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."