I believe in my star. I’ve been in tight corners before, but I’ve wriggled out of them. I’m stronger than ever I was. I’ve got ten times more brains than any of my competitors. The ball is at my feet and I’ve only got to set it rolling. What d’you think difficulties are to me? I’ve never been in better spirits, so alert, so buoyant, as during these last weeks when my neck has been in a noose and every policeman I passed might have a warrant in his pocket for my arrest. If there were ten times more difficulties I’d overcome them all. In ten years I shall be the richest man in London. In fifteen I shall be a peer. My God, I feel as if the world were an orange and I’d got my teeth into it, and I shall suck it dry. ETCHINGHAM. I wonder how many ruined lives will be sacrificed to give you all you want. You walk over dead bodies and broken hearts. GEORGE WINTER. Rot! I flutter the will-o’-the-wisp of gain before the covetous, and they follow. They want to make money without working for it. Well, I’m cleverer than they are. Swalecliffe gambles with his five hundred pounds. His five hundred pounds will find its way into my pocket. It’s his own look out. Each for himself and the devil take the hindmost. [_With a start._] By George, I’ve got an idea.... The Lewishams can’t attack my stocks without weakening their own. We’re in the same boat, and if one of us shakes it both’ll topple out. ETCHINGHAM. What d’you mean? GEORGE WINTER. Well, we’ll attack the Lewishams. I’ll get on to MacLaren’s at once. Go to the post office and wire to Bennett. He’s sure to call at the office. _Sell Lewishams._ He’ll twig. By George, that’s the ticket. Why didn’t I think of it before? We’ll make the Lewishams sorry they started this game. ETCHINGHAM. But supposing ...? GEORGE WINTER. Good God, man, don’t suppose, do as I tell you. Don’t you see we’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain? I know my luck’s in. And I follow my luck. That’s genius. [ETCHINGHAM _with a sigh and a shrug of the shoulders goes out to send the telegram_. GEORGE WINTER _begins to walk excitedly up and down_. CURTAIN. SCENE II _The scene takes place in the sitting-room of the Palace Hotel, but it is eleven o’clock at night. Only a reading lamp is lit, the light of which falls on_ CATHERINE _and_ LADY FRANCIS. CATHERINE _is working at some embroidery_. LADY FRANCIS. Can you see, dear? Wouldn’t you like some more light? CATHERINE. [_With an affectionate smile._] No, the light hurts my eyes. LADY FRANCIS. You’re looking very pale, darling. CATHERINE. I haven’t been sleeping very well here. We’re so near the trains, and they seem to run all night. LADY FRANCIS. I wonder how George can stand it. His room is practically on the railway. CATHERINE. Thank heaven, it’s over. We shall know the result in half an hour, and to-morrow we can go. LADY FRANCIS. What are you going to do? CATHERINE. What can I do? Nothing. LADY FRANCIS.