"By all means. Here is the original prospectus." Bruce glanced through the document, which dealt with the Springbok claims on the Rand with more candor than is usually exhibited in such compilations. Judging from the reports of several mining engineers of repute it really looked as if, this time, Mr. Dodge were speaking with some degree of accuracy. "This reads well," said Bruce. "What proportion of share capital is falling in on the reconstruction scheme?" "I hold fifty thousand shares myself," cried Dodge, "and though my money is locked up just now I am so convinced about this mine that I will manage to pay the call myself. Roughly speaking, there are one hundred and fifty thousand shares to be underwritten at, say, three shillings each." "And who are the present holders?" The barrister asked the question in the most unconcerned way imaginable, yet upon the answer depended the whole success or otherwise of this hitherto unproductive mission. Mr. Dodge was manifestly anxious. "I take it that we are talking with a definite view to business?" he said. The barrister hesitated. Even in the detection of a crime a man does not care to tell a deliberate lie, and Dodge's attitude so far had been candid enough. The Springbok Mine honestly looked to be a good speculative investment, so he resolved to place the proposition before one or two friends who dealt with similar matters, and who were fully able to look after their own interests. "Yes," he answered, "I am here for that purpose. If my principals like this thing they will go in for it." "Then here is the vendors' list," said Mr. Dodge, taking a foolscap sheet from a drawer. Claude perused it nonchalantly. His quick eyes took in each name and address out of half-a-dozen, and rejected all as being in no way connected with the man whose antecedents he was seeking. Yet, where possible, he left nothing to chance. "Have you any objection to a copy being made?" he asked. Mr. Dodge hummed doubtfully. "You see," went on the barrister, "it is best to be quite candid with people whom you wish to bring into risky if apparently high promising ventures. I presume these gentlemen are moneyless. If so, it is a factor in favor of your scheme. Should any of them be men of means, my principals would naturally ask why they did not themselves underwrite the shares." Mr. Dodge was convinced. "From that point of view," he cried emphatically, "they are above suspicion. Jot them down, sir." The barrister armed himself with the necessary documents, and they parted with mutual good wishes. It was only after reflection that Mr. Dodge saw how remarkably little he had got out of the interview. "He was a jolly smart chap," communed the company promoter. "I wonder what he was really after. And who the dickens is Mr. Sydney H. Corbett? Anyhow, the Springbok business is quite above board. How can I raise the wind for my little lot?"