"I thought a boundless optimism was the most essential thing," Andrew replied, taking the paper handed him. "You're moderate," he continued when he had read it. "Ten per cent. is all you promise, though as far as my experience goes, twenty's the more usual thing." "Allinson's does not promise more than it can fulfill." "That's true and quite in accordance with my views. Until lately, however, prospectuses were very much out of our line." Leonard was surprised and annoyed. Andrew was associating himself with the business in an unusual manner; although he had a right to do so. "If there's anything you wish to ask, I shall be glad to explain it." "These underwritten shares--I suppose you're letting the fellows have them below par? Is that because you expect any difficulty in getting the money?" "No; any project we're connected with will be taken up. Still, when you launch a good thing, it's policy to let a few members of the ring in at bottom and give them a share of the pickings." Andrew frowned. "It sounds like a bribe. But these pickings? They must come out of the shareholders' pockets." "In the end, they do." "Though I'm not a business man, it seems to me that capital put into shafts and reducing plant stands a fair chance of being productive. That spent in starting the concern is largely wasted." "We are spending less than usual. May I ask what your idea of the object of floating a company is?" "Mine would be the expectation of getting a good dividend on the stock I took in it." Leonard looked amused. "Excellent, so far as it goes; but there's sometimes a little more than that." Andrew sat silent a while. Then he said: "I gather that this new scheme will be subscribed for because Allinson's guarantees it." "It's impossible to guarantee a mining scheme, but, in a sense, you're right. The firm's name will count." "Well," said Andrew, "I'd like to go to Canada and take some share in starting things--you see, I know the country. Then, as I suppose some of my money will be put into the business, you might, perhaps, make me a director. I'd be of no use in London, but I might do something in Canada." Leonard was surprised, but the suggestion pleased him. The name of Andrew Allinson would have its influence on investors. "It is not a bad idea," he said. "We'll see what can be done." Andrew then changed the subject. "How's business generally?" "Pretty fair; we have made some profitable ventures in South America. You will remember my bringing Señor Piñola down? We made some money out of him." "How?" Andrew asked without much interest. "The fellow had a dash of the nigger or Indian in him." "He was Dictator Valhermosa's secret agent." "Then you supported Valhermosa's administration during the unsuccessful revolution?"