"I've been with you for some time now," said the girl, speaking rapidly, "and I feel that I have a better right to talk to you than--than----" "Than anybody in the whole wide world," said Bones, "and that's a fact, dear young Marguerite." "Yes, yes," she said hurriedly, "but this is something about business, and about--about this deal which you're going into. I've been talking to Captain Hamilton this afternoon, while you were out, and I know it's a swindle." "I know that, too," said Bones calmly. "But," said the puzzled girl, "you are putting all your money into it. Mr. Hamilton said that, if this failed, you might be ruined." Bones nodded. Outwardly calm, the light of battle shone in his eye. "It's a gamble, dear young typewriter," he said, "a terrific gamble, but it's going to turn out all right for did Bones." "But Mr. Hamilton said you can't possibly make anything from the property--that it is derelict and worth practically nothing. Only a tenth of the stores are open, and the trading is----" Bones smiled. "I'm not gambling on the property," he said softly. "Oh, dear, no, young fiancee, I'm not gambling on the property." "Then what on earth are you gambling on?" she asked, a little piqued. "On me," said Bones in the same tone. "On poor old silly ass Bones, and I'm coming through!" He got up and came across to her and laid his big hand on her shoulder gently. "If I don't come through, I shan't be a beggar. I shall have enough to build a jolly little place, where we can raise cows and horses and vegetables of all descriptions, dear old typewriter. And if I do come through, we'll still have that same place--only perhaps we'll have more cows and a pig or two." She laughed, and he raised her smiling lips to his and kissed them. Mr. de Vinne had dined well and had enjoyed an evening's amusement. He had been to the Hippodrome, and his enjoyment had been made the more piquant by the knowledge that Mr. Augustus Tibbetts had as good as placed ten thousand pounds in his pocket. He was a surprised man, on returning to Sloane Square, to discover, waiting in the hall, his unwilling benefactor. "Why, Mr. Tibbetts," he said, "this is a great surprise." "Yes," said Bones, "I suppose it is, old Mr. de Vinne." And he coughed solemnly, as one who was the guardian of a great secret. "Come in," said Mr. de Vinne, more genial than ever. "This is my little den"--indicating a den which the most fastidious of lions would not have despised. "Sit down and have a cigar, old man. Now, what brings you here to-night?" "The shares," said Bones soberly. "I've been worrying about the shares." "Ah, yes," said Mr. de Vinne carelessly. "Why worry about them, dear boy?" "Well, I thought I might lose the opportunity of buying them. I think there's something to be made out of that property. In fact," said Bones emphatically, "I'm pretty certain I could make a lot of money if I had control."