rm, Langford & Macdonald of
Edinburgh.

"Extend no more loans in behalf this firm meantime. Informed Canadian
Banks about to cease practice of extending credit on security of
realty purchases. Letter follows."

Phil rose slowly and extended his hand to his partner.

"Jim, you're a wonder--a blooming wizard."

Jim grinned, but he was well pleased.

"If it hadn't been for your opinion, rammed well down my throat
morning, noon and night, I guess the Langford-Ralston Financial
Corporation would not be quite so well thought of after this comes
out, as it will be in the light of the quiet but persistent advice it
has given its clients. And to think of it--your father wires as if he
were the absolute and only detector of this information, while it was
your letter of six months ago that set him on the hunt for it and
started him on his conservatism regarding loans in general."

Jim laughed.

"That's just my old dad's way, Phil. He knows who put him on to it and
what's more, he knows we know. You never heard of a Scots business man
admitting that his son knew anything he didn't--at least, admitting it
to his son.

"How much money have we in the bank?"

Phil beckoned the accountant, who brought the desired information.

"Two hundred and fifty thousand, six hundred and twenty dollars."

"Great Scotland Yard! And all straight commissions on realty and
loans. Isn't it a corker though, how it grows?

"Well,--it represents a turn-over of over six million dollars one way
and another. That's something any two-year-old firm might be proud
of."

"And two years ago I was----You know what, Jim!"

"And two years ago I was Captain Mayne Plunkett of dime novel
repute--or disrepute--with glazed pants and a celluloid collar."

"And Aunt Christina of 'Love Notes' fame," Phil reminded.

Jim put up his hand. "Hush! Let the dead bury their dead.

"But it beats the Dutch all the same how offers keep coming in on a
man when he doesn't require them; yet, when he's nearly down and out,
he can't even get a political speech to report."

"That's simple enough too, Jim. You know the reason; you have preached
it in this business long enough.

"Think failure and you bring every brooding failure carrion-crow in
the Universe to roost on the top rail of your iron bedstead. Think
success, look success, live success,--and success walks in at your
front door, while everyone helps you along the same way with each
thought he gives your appare