"I don't know that we are being particularly incendiary," said Pateley, with the comfortable air of one disposing of the subject. "It is only that the world is rather inflammable at this moment." "Well, we have had conflagrations enough at the present," said Sir William. "We want the country to quiet down a bit." "Oh! it will do that all in good time," said Pateley. "I am bound to say things are rather jumpy just now. By the way, Sir William, I wonder if you know of any investment you could recommend?" Wentworth discreetly turned away and strolled back to Lady Gore's sofa. "I rather want to know of a good thing for my two sisters who are living together at Lowbridge. I have got a modest sum to invest that my father left them, and I should like to put it into something that is pretty certain, but, if possible, that will give them more than 2-1/2 per cent." "Why," said Sir William, "I believe I may know of the very thing. Only it is a dead secret as yet." "Hullo!" said Pateley, pricking up his ears. "That sounds promising. For how long?" "Just for the moment," said Sir William. "But of necessity the whole world must know of it before very long." "Well, if it really is a good thing let us have a day or two's start," said Pateley laughing. "All right, you shall," said Sir William. "You shall hear from me in a day or two." CHAPTER VII The days had passed. The great scheme of "The Equator, Ltd.," was before the world, which had received it in a manner exceeding Fred Anderson's most sanguine expectations. The possibilities and chances of the mine, as set forth by the experts, appeared to be such as to rouse the hopes of even the wary and experienced, and Anderson had no difficulty of forming a Board of Directors most eminently calculated to inspire confidence in the public--none the less that they were presided over by a man who, if not possessed of special business qualifications, was of good social position and bore an honourable name. Sir William Gore, the Chairman of the company, was well pleased. He invested largely in the undertaking. The savings of the Miss Pateleys, under the direction of their brother, had gone the same way. The _Arbiter_ had indeed reason to cheer on the Cape to Cairo railway, which day by day seemed more likely of accomplishment.