But Honest John was not the kind that accepts refusal without protest. "What I'll do," said he confidentially, "is this: I'll leave the matter for twenty-four hours in your hands." "No, go, my reliable old wharf-seller," said Bones. "I never go up the river under any possible circumstances---- By Jove, I've got an idea!" He brought his knuckly fist down upon the unoffending desk, and Honest John watched hopefully. "Now, if--yes, it's an idea!" Bones seized paper, and his long-feathered quill squeaked violently. "That's it--a thousand members at ten pounds a year, four hundred bedrooms at, say, ten shillings a night---- How many is four hundred times ten shillings multiplied by three hundred and sixty-five? Well, let's say twenty thousand pounds. That's it! A club!" "A club?" said Honest John blankly. "A river club. You said Greenhithe--that's somewhere near Henley, isn't it?" Honest John sighed. "No, sir," he said gently, "it's in the other direction--toward the sea." Bones dropped his pen and pinched his lip in an effort of memory. "Is it? Now, where was I thinking about? I know--Maidenhead! Is it near Maidenhead?" "It's in the opposite direction from London," said the perspiring Mr. Staines. "Oh!" Bones's interest evaporated. "No good to me, my old speculator. Wharves! Bah!" He shook his head violently, and Mr. Staines aroused himself. "I'll tell you what I'll do, Mr. Tibbetts," he said simply; "I'll leave the plans with you. I'm going down into the country for a night. Think it over. I'll call to-morrow afternoon." Bones still shook his head. "No go, nothin' doin'. Finish this palaver, dear old Honesty!" "Anyway, no harm is done," urged Mr. Staines. "I ask you, is there any harm done? You have the option for twenty-four hours. I'll roll the plans up so that they won't be in the way. Good morning!" He was out of the office door before Bones could as much as deliver the preamble to the stern refusal he was preparing. At three o'clock that afternoon came two visitors. They sent in a card bearing the name of a very important Woking firm of land agents, and they themselves were not without dignity of bearing. There was a stout gentleman and a thin gentleman, and they tiptoed into the presence of Bones with a hint of reverence which was not displeasing. "We have come on a rather important matter," said the thin gentleman. "We understand you have this day purchased Stivvins' Wharf----" "Staines had no right to sell it?" burst in the stout man explosively. "A dirty mean trick, after all that he promised us! It is just his way of getting revenge, selling the property to a stranger!"