"At a moment when the eyes of the world are turned upon Great Britain, and when her commercial supremacy is threatened, it behoves us all to increase production...." And usually there was some reference to "the patriotic duty of capital." There was a time when these appeals to his better nature would have moved Bones to amazing extravagance, but happily that time was before he had any money to speak about. For Bones was growing in wisdom and in wiliness as the days passed. Going through the pile of correspondence, he came upon a letter which he read thoughtfully, and then read again before he reached to the telephone and called a number. In the City of London there was a business-like agency which supplied him with a great deal of useful information, and it was to these gentlemen that he addressed his query: "Who are Messrs. Seepidge & Soomes?" He waited for some time with the receiver at his ear, a far-away look in his eyes, and then the reply came: "A little firm of printers run by a rascal named Seepidge, who has been twice bankrupt and is now insolvent. His firm has been visited by the police for illegal printing several times, and the firm is in such a low condition that it has a job to pay its wages bill." "Thank you," said Bones. "Thank you, dear old commercial guardian. What is the business worth?" "It's worth your while to keep away from it," said the humorous reply, and Bones hung up the receiver. "Ham, old dear," he said, and Hamilton looked up. "Suppose," said Bones, stretching out his legs and fixing his monocle, "suppose, my jolly old accountant and partner, you were offered a business which was worth"--he paused--"which was worth your while keeping away from it--that's a pretty good line, don't you think, old literary critic?" "A very good line," said Hamilton calmly; "but you have rather a loud-speaking telephone, and I think I have heard the phrase before." "Oh, have you?" said Bones by no means abashed. "Still, it's a very good line. And suppose you were offered this printing business for fifteen thousand pounds, what would you say?" "It depends on who was present," said Ham, "and where I was. For example, if I were in the gorgeous drawing-room of your wonderful flat, in the splendid presence of your lovely lady wife to be----" Bones rose and wagged his finger. "Is nothing sacred to you, dear old Ham?" he choked. "Are the most tender emotions, dear old thing, which have ever been experienced by any human being----" "Oh, shut up," said Hamilton, "and let's hear about this financial problem of yours." Bones was ruffled, and blinked, and it was some time before he could bring himself back to sordid matters of business. "Well, suppose this jolly old brigand offered you his perfectly beastly business for fifteen thousand pounds, what would you do?" "Send for the police," said Hamilton.