"By what means," he asked tentatively, "could I interest myself in this undertaking?"
"By the purchase of shares," was the prompt reply.
The Marquis considered the point. The matter of purchasing anything presented fundamental difficulties to him!
"Tell me about these shares?" he invited. "What is the nature of the undertaking?"
"Oil."
The Marquis grew a little more sanguine. There was an element of fantasy about oil shares. Perhaps they could be bought on paper.
"Large fortunes have been made in oil," he said. "Personally, I am a believer in oil. Where are the wells?"
"In Arizona."
"An excellent locality," the Marquis continued approvingly. "What is the present price of the shares?"
"They are dollar shares," David replied, "and their present price is par. You may find them quoted in some financial papers, but as practically the entire holding is in my possession, the market for them is limited."