y."

He learnt more about the company that afternoon, for Sanders called in
and gave a somewhat roseate view of the future.

"The fact is, Bones, I am getting stale," he said, "and this looks like
an excellent and a profitable occupation."

"How did you get to hear about it, Excellency?". asked Bones.

His attitude was one of undisguised antagonism. He might have been a
little resentful that the opportunity had come to Sanders through any
other agency than his own.

"I had a letter from the solicitors asking me if the idea appealed to
me, and recalling my services on the Coast," said Sanders. "Of course
I know very little about the Mazeppa Trading Company, though I had
heard of it years gone past as a very profitable concern. The
solicitors were quite frank, and told me that business had fallen off,
due to inexperienced management. They pointed out the opportunities
which existed--the possibilities of opening new stations--and I must
confess that it appealed to me. It will mean hard work, but the salary
is good."

"Hold hard, Sir and Excellency," said Bones. "What did you have to put
up in the way of shares?"

Sanders flushed. He was a shy man, and not given to talking about his
money affairs.

"Oh, about five thousand pounds," he said awkwardly. "Of course, it's
a lot of money; but even if the business isn't successful, I have a
five-year contract with the company, and I get more than my investment
back in salary."

That night Bones stayed on after Hamilton had left, and had for
companion Miss Marguerite Whitland, a lady in whose judgment he had a
most embarrassing faith. He had given her plenty of work to do, and
the rhythmical tap-tap of her typewriter came faintly through the door
which separated the outer from the inner office.

Bones sat at his desk, his chin in his hand, a very thoughtful young
man, and before him was a copy of the latest evening newspaper, opened
at the Stock Exchange page. There had been certain significant
movements in industrial shares--a movement so interesting to the
commentator upon Stock Exchange doings that he had inserted a paragraph
to the effect that:

"The feature of the industrial market was the firmness of Mazeppa
Trading shares, for which there was a steady demand, the stock closing
at 19_s_. 9_d_. Mazeppa shares have not been dealt in within the House
for many years, and, in fact, it was generally believed that the
Company was going into liquidation, an