He looked so anxiously at Mr. Welles that Mr. Welles said, kindly:
“Oh, see Stewardson. I'll speak to him, if you wish.”
“Thank you! Thank you, Mr. Welles,” said Jer-ningham, so gratefully that Welles felt like a philanthropist as he rang the bell to summon the second vice-president.
“Mr. Stewardson, Mr. Jemingham, wants to buy some of our stock. I want you to help him in any way possible.”
“Delighted, I'm sure!” said the vice-president, very cordially. He was paid to be cordial to customers.
“If I had my way I'd be the largest individual stockholder,” said Jerningham, looking at Welles almost adoringly.
“I hope you will,” said Welles, pleasantly. “Mr. Stewardson will help you.”
Jerningham and Welles shook hands. Then Jerningham and Stewardson left to go to the vice-president's private office.
VII
The remarkable Miss Keogh was one of those remarkable people who are really remarkable. Within three weeks came a cablegram from her to Mr. Jerningham to the effect that a letter had been sent by Mrs. Deering to her daughter—the first. Mrs. Deering had begun to doubt her own health. Then came cablegrams from her to Mrs. Welles; and in a few days, before Ashton Welles could think of a valid excuse for not letting his wife go to England, Mrs. Welles told him to engage passage for her on the Ruritania.