Lord Harrowby got quickly to his feet
"Then it would be better," he said, relieved, "for me to take my proposition to one of these non-marine underwriters."
Mr. Thacker frowned. Curiosity agitated his bosom.
"You'd have to go to London to do that," he remarked. "Better give us an inkling of what's on your mind."
His lordship tapped uneasily at the base of Mr. Thacker's desk with his stick.
"If you will pardon me—I'd rather not," he said.
"Oh, very well," sighed Mr. Thacker.
"How about Owen Jephson?" asked Mr. Minot suddenly.
Overjoyed, Mr. Thacker started up.
"By gad—I forgot about Jephson. Sails at one o'clock, doesn't he?" He turned to Lord Harrowby. "The very man—and in New York, too. Jephson would insure T. Roosevelt against another cup of coffee."