Mr. Clutterbuck had the courtesy to glance at the yards of double names and dates, but they meant nothing to him. He asked which column one read first, and William Bailey could only find the stupid and would-be enigmatic reply that some read it one way and some read it the other. "Beaufort equals Rosenberg, or Rosenberg equals Beaufort: it's all the same thing. It's usually French on the left and German on the right," he said quizzically, putting his head on one side. "Middle Ages there, Modern Ages here," he went on, wagging his head symbolically right and left; and then suddenly broke out: "What've you come to see me about? Still hanging fire?" Mr. Clutterbuck admitted that it was, and Mr. Bailey surveyed him with great kindness. It was evident the crank had no desire to eat up this particular millionaire; he would give _him_ a certificate of pure blood. He smiled at his sister's new acquaintance with deep benediction and at last he said in a knowing tone: "Look here, Mr. Clutterbuck, I think I can only do _one_ thing for you, but it's a very useful thing. It's just a rule of thumb, and I'm afraid you'll think it something in the dark; but it's no good making any more of it just now than a plain rule of thumb. It's just a plain rule of thumb." Mr. Clutterbuck groaned inwardly. He was in the fog again. But William Bailey went on quite composed: "I know a good deal of things," he said, stretching his arms and yawning as he said it. "Yes, Mr. Bailey, certainly," said Mr. Clutterbuck fervently. "Well then, if I just tell you a simple little dodge--don't think it too simple--just take it as a tip from me, and I'll see you through. I mean what I say. I don't think I'd do it for anybody else. TRY THE ANAPOOTRA RUBY MINES." CHAPTER XI The name of the Anapootra Ruby Mines--that name of power--left Mr. Clutterbuck as blank as ever. It couldn't be a medicine by the name of it, and if it was an investment, he hadn't come for any advice of _that_ sort. He thought he knew his way about _there_. "I don't understand what you mean," he said a little bluntly, for of late his courage had increased with his worries. "Why," said Mr. Bailey, as though it were the simplest thing in the world, "the Anapootra _Ruby_ Mines. Talk about 'em. Say you're interested in 'em. It'll work marvels." Mr. Clutterbuck was almost in despair. "If that's all you got to tell me," he said---- William Bailey put a hand on his shoulder. "Now there you are," he said, "that's just what I was afraid of. I give you a tip--it isn't a tip I'd give anybody else, and it's the very best tip I could give you. And because you don't see _why_ it's a good tip, you're going to reject it." "No I'm not, Mr. Bailey, really I'm not," said the unfortunate Clutterbuck. "But I don't understand--upon my word I don't understand."