“Didn’t you come to see me about the deal in the first instance?”
It was Bruce’s turn to hesitate.
“Not exactly,” he said. “I really wanted to know something about Mr. Corbett, and the Springbok business arose out of it.”
“Ah, that chap Corbett. I have been thinking about him. I wonder who he can be? Anyhow, I owe him my best wishes, as the mention of his name has had such excellent results.”
“Well, that is all,” said Bruce rising.
“Yes, thanks. I must now see about raising the money to pay my own call. I am interested in fifty thousand shares, you know.”
“Then you require some £7,500?”
“Yes. But that will be easy when I can say that the Anglo-African Finance people are with me. Besides, this morning—queer you should call immediately afterwards—I have had some wholly unexpected news.”
“Indeed?” Mr. Dodge was in a talkative vein, and Bruce was in no hurry.
“The very best!” went on Dodge gleefully. “You see, there is another man in this affair with me. I thought he was as stony-broke as I am myself—speaking confidentially, you know—when he suddenly writes to me saying that he had won a pot of money at Monte Carlo and could spare me £2,000. What’s the matter? Beastly trying weather, isn’t it? Try a nip of brandy.”