“An honest man’s the noblest work of God!” The unpleasant rumours continuing to spread very rapidly, it became desirable to procure a director with something like respectability attached to his name; so Mr. Knowles wrote to Sir John Rae Reid, Governor of the Bank of England, stating, that as he was a native of Dover he could assist Sir John with his constituents, provided that gentleman would give his name as director to the falling establishment. The only reply was a contemptuous refusal, and an unceremonious request that Mr. Knowles would withdraw the accounts of the West Middlesex from the custody of the Bank. In the mean time the established institutions looked on in wonder, asking themselves when this bold violation of probity would cease. It was certain that, so long as the new office could procure money from the public, they would continue to do so. There was no law, indeed, which could touch them; and when some of their victims hesitated at continuing their payments, the following specious letter was written by the agent whom the gang at Baker Street had found means to blind:-- “I have been to London purposely to examine the affairs of this society, and I can assure you the reports issued against them are wholly without foundation; the principal part of them are gentlemen living on their own property. The following is the result of my investigation, which must surely satisfy the mind of any person as to their respectability:--63,000_l._ in the Bank of England to meet emergencies; 160,000_l._ on mortgage property in London, at 7 per cent. and 8 per cent.; 40,000_l._ on reversionary property; 120,000_l._ on different funded securities; 3000_l._ in the Bank of Scotland; 30,000_l._ on mortgage security in that country; 3000_l._ in the Bank of Ireland; 10,000_l._ on landed security in that country; and their paid-up capital is 375,000_l._”