'It means that fools are making things smooth for wise men, as usual,' he answered, and looked at her with a keen glance. 'If you will only make them plain to one fool!' she suggested with a laugh. 'I presume you aren't interested in international politics as such?' 'Not a bit,' said Trix heartily. 'But if there's any little venture going----' He smiled as he tempted her, knowing that she would yield. 'You've been very kind to me,' murmured Trix. 'It's a big thing this time--and a good thing. You've heard Beaufort mention the Dramoffsky Concessions, I daresay?' Trix nodded. 'He'd only mention them casually, of course,' Fricker continued with a passing smile. 'Well, if there's trouble, or serious apprehension of it, the Dramoffsky Concessions would be blown sky-high--because it's all English capital and labour, and for a long time anyhow the whole thing would be brought to a standstill, and the machinery all go to the deuce, and so on.' Again Trix nodded wisely. 'Whereas, if everything's all right, the Concessions are pretty well all right too. Have you noticed that they've been falling a good deal lately? No, I suppose not. Most papers don't quote them.' 'I haven't looked for them. I've had my eye on the Glowing Star.' Trix was anxious to give an impression of being business-like in one matter anyhow. 'Oh, that's good for a few hundreds, but don't you worry about it. I'll look after that for you. As I say, if there's serious apprehension, Dramoffskys go down. Well, there will be--more serious than there is now. And after that----' 'War?' asked Trix in some excitement. 'We imagine not. I'd say we know, only one never really knows anything. No, there will be a revival of confidence. And then Dramoffskys--well, you see what follows. Now it's a little risky--not very--and it's a big thing if it comes off, and what I'm telling you is worth a considerable sum as a marketable commodity. Are you inclined to come in?' To Trix there could be but one answer. Coming in with Mr. Fricker had always meant coming out better for the process. She thanked him enthusiastically. 'All right. Lodge five thousand at your bankers' as soon as you can, and let me have it.' 'Five thousand!' Trix gasped a little. She had not done the thing on such a scale as this before. 'It's always seemed to me waste of time to fish for herrings with a rod and line,' observed Fricker; 'but just as you like, of course.' 'Does Beaufort think well of it?' 'Do you generally find us differing?' Fricker smiled ironically. 'I'll go in,' said Trix. 'I shall make a lot, sha'n't I?' 'I think so. Hold your tongue, and stay in till I tell you to come out. You can rely on me.'