"How much do you want?"
"The value of the necklace," he answered. "Fifty thousand pounds."
"It is a large sum," she said, "and it will be difficult to find."
He smiled, as if her words were a joke and should be treated as such.
"The interest will be good," he answered.
"But are you certain of obtaining it?" she asked.
"Have I ever failed yet?" he replied.
"You have done wonderful things, certainly. But this time you are attempting so much."
"The greater the glory!" he answered. "I have prepared my plans, and I shall not fail. This is going to be the greatest undertaking of my life. If it comes off successfully, I shall retire upon my laurels. Come, for the sake of--well, you know for the sake of what--will you let me have the money? It is not the first time you have done it, and on each occasion you have not only been repaid, but well rewarded into the bargain."
"When do you want it?"