When the bomb-shell first descended from Morecambe, I thought at once of him. In such a business there must be scores of openings for young men of character and ability, accustomed to command; and, say what you like, the presence of those whom for want of a better word I will call "well-connected" _does_ help to lift commerce out of the ruck... Unhappily Sir Appleton was abroad at the time, and that was really why we chose Menton, which truly honestly is only a _suburb_ of Monte Carlo. The opportunity was too good to be thrown away; and it was worth enduring a little discomfort if by shewing him some slight civility I could enlist his support. It was not so _easy_ as I had hoped. He wanted to make me believe that the best positions in the business were reserved for men who had worked their way up from the bottom, as he had done; that there was an immense deal to be learned, that the most responsible part of his duties consisted in choosing the right men... "But," I said, "I _am_ in a position to speak with knowledge here; it is my own son whom I am putting forward." "I shall be delighted to see him," answered Sir Appleton, "and to talk things over again on my return to London." And really he wanted to leave it like that, but I am not _quite_ so easily discouraged. I hammered away until I had extracted a definite promise that he would find _some_ position in which Will could support himself, though I am afraid he was not very gracious about it... "If I accept him in the dark," he said in conclusion, "don't blame me for discharging him after a month if I find he's no good." "I have no fear of that," I said. "Discharge" was hardly the word I should have chosen, but one is foolish to expect too great nicety of language... It was arranged that Sir Appleton should dine with us here to meet Will. I did _try_ to impress on my boy that this would be one of the most momentous days of his life. I wanted Sir Appleton to see him at his best. When you have no experience, no technical knowledge to offer, it is so important that character, personality, breeding... I am sure you understand what I mean. And I could never forget that, when the Jew man--Sir Adolf Erckmann or whatever he _now_ calls himself--pretended to have an appointment ready and waiting, Will endangered his prospects by participating in some ridiculous game that caused our worthy host to take offence. One had not looked for such sensitiveness in _that_ quarter; but, when a man is uncertain of himself and takes refuge in his dignity, high spirits and irresponsibility have no place. _This_ time, I told Will, he must run _no_ risks. And, after that, I hoped--_and expected_--to see my boy taking our friend by _storm_...