“Our Company is a good one—paying very good dividends, and you have risked no money in it,” suggested Mr. Croft. “Your Company may be a good one, or it may not,” replied Lord Kemms; “but, good or bad, I won’t be mixed up with it. I will have nothing to do with adventures or speculations of any kind.” “It is a pity you were not always so particular concerning the things you connected yourself with, Frank,” remarked his cousin. “Let by-gones be by-gones, Douglas,” interposed Mr. Stewart, hastily; “because a man sees the folly of his ways now, there is no justice in twitting him with having been less far-sighted formerly. No doubt, Frank is right as to the general principle; but this is rather a special case, with some peculiarities about it, which he will, doubtless, take into consideration. In the first place,” he added, addressing Lord Kemms, “we will admit there has been some misunderstanding on the subject——” “No,” was the reply, “I will admit nothing of the kind. Black understood me perfectly——” “Well, granting that he did understand you, what particular harm has his use of your name done? It is associated not with obscure Cockneys or swindlers, but with decently-respectable, solvent men, like Douglas and myself, for example. Of course, we know, we are not lords; but still, we have a fancy we are honest, and possess some money. Our venture is turning out very well. No doubt the proper number of shares has been allotted to you. You take no responsibility—you run no risk; by making a fuss over the affair, you will do yourself no good, and may do us considerable harm. You will take time to think over the matter, and you will, when you have cooled down a little, decide to make no public scandal concerning the affair.” “I have already written to the _Times_,” answered his Lordship. “But not posted the letter, I hope. Bring it here, Frank, and we will smoke a calumet of peace over its ashes.” “Impossible! I sent it to the _Times’_ office before I left London.” “If we had known that, we might have saved ourselves this agreeable journey,” said Mr. Croft; while Mr. Stewart observed: “Well, Frank, all I can say is, I am very sorry; for now we shall have to fight you as best we can. Once in the _Times_, it is war to the death, you know.” “It was not I who sought the war,” answered Lord Kemms. “After waiting nearly twelve months, you might surely have waited another day.” “It was only yesterday I knew anything about the matter. I happened to be over at the Hollow with my aunt, and on the drawing-room table I saw one of the ‘Protector’ prospectuses. Glancing at it, I knew for the first time the use Black had made of my name.” “It is singular your friend, Mr. Raidsford, did not communicate the fact to you before,” observed Mr. Stewart, with a slight sneer.