"Taking a country seat?" asked Harry, smiling. "No, a suburban one: the sort of thing we had at Richmond, only rather better." "You don't mean it!" "A fact." "But the Crofters are paying such a dividend?" Gordon Lowndes shrugged his shoulders with a gesture that reminded Harry of former days. "A paltry fourteen per cent.!" said he. "I'm sick of it. I thought we should all be millionaires by this time. I've sold out, and, of course, at a good enough figure; but we've been doing ourselves pretty well these last few years, and I haven't got much change out of the Crofters after all. In point of fact, it would take a few thousands to clear me; but, on the other hand, the credit's better than ever it was, and I'm simply chock-a-block with new plans. Loaded to the muzzle, Ringrose, and just spoiling for the fray! I know my nature better than ever I knew it before. I wasn't built for sitting in a chair and drawing my salary and receiving my dividends. I've found that out. It's worrying the thing through that I enjoy; there's some sport in that. However, I'm as lively as an old cheese with schemes and ideas; and one of them, at least, should appeal to you. It's a composite daily paper on absolutely new lines--that is, on all existing lines run parallel for a penny. My idea is to knock out the _Times_ and the _Guardian_ on one hand, and _Punch_ and the _Pink 'Un_ on the other. What should you say to coming in as comic editor at a four-figure screw?" "Where's the capitalist?" was what Harry said. "Where is he not?" cried Lowndes. "Every man Jack of them would jump at it! I made such a success of the Crofters that I could raise a million to-morrow for any crack-brained scheme I liked to put my name to. Yes, my boy, I'll have my pick of the capitalists this time; have them coming to me with their hats in one hand and their cheque-books in the other; but, between ourselves, I don't think we shall have far to seek for our man, Ringrose!" "What do you mean?" cried Harry, his curiosity whetted by the other's tone. "Ask your father," was the reply. "I may be mistaken, and he mayn't have made such a pile as I imagine; but he'll tell you as soon as he has you to himself; and meanwhile I'll warn Fanny that you're going to look her up." A hansom tinkled and twinkled across the jaws of Earl's Court Road; and as the light-hearted rapscallion darted off in pursuit, few would have believed with what a deed he had been connected; fewer still with what emotion he had lamented his wickedness not five minutes ago. * * * * * The father had not stirred, but he looked up as Harry burst in, breathless and ashamed. "What, have you been out?" "Yes, father," with deep humility. "And where is Lowndes?" "I have been seeing him off."