"Mr. Dodge, I never dreamt that self-consciousness was a failing of the members of the Stock Exchange." "Then that _was_ the cause. I guessed it. I have been making inquiries about you, Mr. Bruce, and there is no use in trying to fool you, not a bit." "Have you another Springbok proposition on hand?" "No; bar chaffing. You were the man who ferreted out the truth about that West Australian combination when everybody else had failed. And, now I think of it, you made me talk a lot the last time you were here. However, I am ready. Fire away! I will tell you the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me--" "Sh-s-sh! Do not perjure yourself for the sake of alliteration. Besides, it is I who have come to talk this time." "About Springboks?" "Yes. The people I mentioned to you at my previous visit are prepared to underwrite the shares, provided that their agent's report is as favorable in its entirety as a telegraphic summary leads them to believe." "Eh? That's good news! When will they be in a position to complete?" "As soon as they hear from South Africa by post. Say three weeks." "So long! But suppose I get an offer from some other quarter in the meantime? I cannot keep the proposal open indefinitely." "I have not asked you to do so, Mr. Dodge. Let me see--three shillings per share on, say, two hundred thousand shares is £30,000. It is a good deal of money. If any one likes to hand you a cheque for that amount without preliminary investigation, take it by all means." The notion tickled Dodge immensely. "All right, Mr. Bruce. When people of that sort turn up we don't sell 'em Springboks in the City. But there is no harm in you telling me your clients' names." "Not in the least. They are the Anglo-African Finance Corporation." Mr. Dodge whistled. "By Jove, they're the best backing I could have. This is a good turn, Mr. Bruce, and I shan't forget it. You see, we're a young firm, and association with well-known houses is good for us in every sense. I'm jolly glad now that Springboks are all right. It would never have done for me to introduce them to a risky piece of business. I am really much obliged to you. And now, how do we stand?" "Kindly explain." "How much 'com' do you want?" "Nothing." Mr. Dodge moved his chair backward several feet in sheer amazement. "Nothing, my dear sir! Nonsense! It is a big affair. Shall we say one per cent in cash, or two in shares. I am not very well off just now, or--" "Pray don't trouble yourself. I have already secured my commission--five per cent in fully paid shares." "But the people who put up the money don't pay for the privilege as a rule." "That I know quite well. This case is different. I am not, nor ever have been, a financial go-between." "Didn't you come to see me about the deal in the first instance?" It was Bruce's turn to hesitate. "Not exactly," he said. "I really wanted to know something about Mr. Corbett, and the Springbok business arose out of it."