"Upon my soul, Wedge, it's a grand conception!" There was a large clock at the bottom of the stairs which struck twelve, loud enough to awake the sleeping household; but, strange to say, neither Planner nor his friend heard a single chime. "Who are your men?" continued Planner.
"Oh, first-rate men! Three of the first London bankers, two of the chief architects, the richest capitalist in England"——
"What, have you got them all?"
"No, but we mean to ask them to take shares, and to take part in the direction. They'll jump, sir, at the offer."
"Ah, that they will! What's your capital?"
"Half a million—five thousand shares of a hundred each. It's nothing at all!"
"No, nothing really. What is your appointment?"
"I am secretary; and I am to have a bonus of five thousand pounds when the thing is fairly started."
"You well deserve it, Wedge. Ah, sir, I have dreamt of this before!"
"No—have you?"