"Then you are no longer employed by Dr Taplow?" interrupted Mrs Maybury.
"That is so," said Jim.
"But he will still work in Mount Street," put in Koko, quickly, "as he is setting up a practice there on his own account."
They all glanced towards Koko, except Dora, who, looking at Jim, observed that he was palpably wonder-struck by Koko's remark. Jim, indeed, was as surprised as anyone at the table. What on earth was Koko driving at?
As everybody (except Dora) turned towards Koko, Mr Somers rose from the table.
"You must excuse such an unceremonious departure, Mrs Maybury," he said, "but I have just remembered that I have a most important appointment to keep. I thank you for your very kind hospitality. Jim, I should like to see you before I go."
As Koko bowed himself out, Jim, marvelling greatly, followed him. In the hall, Koko exclaimed:
"It's all right, Jim--I'll lend you the money."
"What--for me to set up against Taplow?"
"That's it. You must stay here, and you'll do well in Mount Street. You shall have the money in the morning, and then you can go along and rig up a place and start right off. What's the lowest figure you can begin on?"