His lordship did not say whether he believed him or not, but he pressed a button underneath the desk, and there entered to him a solemn-faced man, who stood like a statue, awaiting orders.
“Perkins, will you bring me four check books?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“And, Perkins, tell Henri to be at the door with my red automobile within six minutes.”
“Yes, my lord.”
The man departed, and returned a few moments later, placing on the desk four very thin check books, finally retiring as noiselessly as he had entered.
“An ordinary check book,” said his lordship to Mackeller, “does so distort one’s coat when placed in an inside pocket, that I cause my books to be made with only one check each inside. I shall now write you out one for five thousand pounds, so that I shall not need to carry its cover with me.”
With great leisureliness the young man wrote out a check, tore it from its attachment, and handed it to Mackeller.
“I lend this to you, but I don’t think it will be of the slightest use, you know.”
“I am quite positive it will protect my father’s stock, my lord, and as I am sure that stock will be worth a hundred sovereigns on the pound, if you will accept half my father’s holding for this check, I can promise you this will be the biggest day’s work you’ve ever done.”