"'I will tell you,' replied the Lion. 'Listen, therefore, carefully. Let us go back to the very beginning of our acquaintance. I am correct in stating that you were a homeless, ragged little urchin prowling the streets of London.' The tall thin man nodded. 'I gave you the only shelter you knew; others have used it since, all of them models of gratitude compared with yourself. My friendship did not stop there. You wanted work, a home, a name and riches. Who directed you to the City? who told you how to start, and where you would find all those things so long as you worked hard and were honest?'
"'I did all those things,' interrupted the tall thin man; 'I did work hard, I got a home, name, riches, and I have been honest.'
"'Until to-day,' purred the Lion, 'until to-day, Alderman Gold.'
"'To-day,' echoed the Alderman, but he started slightly.
"'Those shares you bought in the City to-day, a very great number, do you call that transaction honest?'
"The Alderman's eyes sought the ground.
"'Three people will be ruined in that transaction if you keep to it.'
"'Think of the money.'
"'Think of your name.'
"'I must have money.'