But, as Fortune now uses me, I cannot personally approach his Excellency. Powdered menials would urge me from his portals. An advance, a small advance—say 30_l._—is needed for preliminary expenses: for the charges of the clothier, the bootmaker, the hosier, the barber. Give me 30_l._ for the restoration of Tigg to the semblance of the Montagues, and with that sum I conquer millions. The diamonds of Monte Cristo, the ingots, the rubies, the golden crowns with the image and superscription of Pope Alexander VI.—all are mine: I mean are ours. More, David; more, my premium tulip: we shall make the Count a richer man than ever he has been. We shall promote new companies, we shall put him on the board of directors. I see the prospectuses from afar. UNIVERSAL INTERNATIONAL TREASURE RECOVERY COMPANY. _Chairman_. His Excellency the COMTE DE MONTE CRISTO. K.G., K.C.B., Knight of the Black Eagle. _Directors_. CHEVY SLIME, Esq., Berkeley Square. MONTAGUE TIGG, Esq., Park Lane. M. VAUTRIN (Les Bagnes près de Toulon). M. JEAN VALJEAN. The CHEVALIER STRONG. (Would he come in?) _Hon. Secretary_.—DAVID CRIMP, Esq. Archæological Adviser.—Dr. SPIEGELMANN, Berlin. Then the prospectus! Treasure-hunting too long left to individual and uneducated enterprise. Need of organised and instructed effort. Examples of treasure easily to be had. Grave of Alaric. Golden chain of Cuzco. Galleons of Vigo Bay. Loot of Delphi. Straits of Salamis. Advice of most distinguished foreign experts already secured. Paid-up capital, a 6 and as many 0’s as the resources of the printing establishment can command. The public will rush in by the myriad. And I am also sketching a ‘Disinterested Association for Securing the Rights of Foundlings,’ again with Monte Cristo in the chair. David, you have saved a few pounds; in the confidence of unofficial moments you have confessed as much (though not exactly _how_ much) to me. Will you neglect one of those opportunities which only genius can discover, but which the humble capitalist can help to fructify? With thirty, nay, with twenty pounds, I can master this millionaire and tame this Earthly Providence. Behind us lies penury and squalor, before us glitters jewelled opulence. You will be at 1542 Park Lane to-morrow _with the dibs_?—Yours expectantly, MONTAGUE TIGG. * * * * * _From Mr. David Crimp to Montague Tigg_, _Esq._ The Golden Balls, May 28.