The banker looked at him strangely.
"It is queer that you should ask," he said slowly; "it was the subject of a discussion at my hoard meeting this afternoon—it is the Wady Semlik Barrage."
"The Egyptian irrigation scheme?" asked T. B. quickly.
"Yes, the bank's liability was very limited until a short time ago. There was always a danger that the physical disabilities of the Soudan would bring about a fiasco. So we farmed our liability, if you understand the phrase. But with the completion of the dam, and the report of our engineer that it had been submitted to the severest test, we curtailed the expensive insurance."
"When are the works to be handed over to the Egyptian Government?"
Sir George smiled.
"That I cannot tell you," he said; "it is a secret known only to the directors and myself."
"But until it is officially handed over, you are liable?"
"Yes, to an extent. As a matter of fact, we shall only be fully liable for one day. For there is a clause in the agreement which binds the Government to accept responsibilities for the work seven days after inspection by the works department, and the bulk of our insurances run on till within twenty-four hours of that date. I will tell you this much: the inspection has taken place—I cannot give you the date—and the fact that it was made earlier than we anticipated is responsible for the cancellation of the insurances."
"One more question, Sir George," said T. B. "Suppose, through any cause, the Wady Semlik Barrage broke on that day—the day upon which the bank was completely liable,—what would be the effect on Bronte's?"