Bob looked at him and shook his head.
"I say, you're so clever, I don't know how to take you. I dare say it's you!"
The flattered financier smiled.
"Oh, by the way," said Bob, rather in a hurry, "I suppose I should get nearly as much if I invested ninety pounds as if I put in a hundred?"
"Nearly," said Gordon, who hoped to be let off a little, "only ten per cent. less."
"That'll do me," said Bob. "Then you can give me the tenner now, Mr. Gordon, and put in the rest for me."
"I wish I had a boy like that," said Gordon. He went away ten pounds poorer, but with a great admiration for Bob, who was determined to restore the faded splendour of Goring.
"Hanged if I know who it is," said Bob. "It may be Gordon after all. And every one but De Vere and Bramber have been at me. Is it one of these?"
He had a remarkable list of all those who had pretended to Penelope's hand, for he was very curious, like all the rest of the world. He was also a little sore with Pen for not confiding in him.
"I told her I'd find out," he said, "and I will."