into the gutter for it if the money is there. Does that satisfy you?"
The financier scowled at him for a few moments, then he said, in his usual tone of voice:
"If you will do what is wanted, I will give you ten thousand pounds."
"Is it anything they can put me in jail for?"
"Certainly not."
"Then I'll do it. Spin it out, and let me have another bottle of champagne, please. I hate to ask, but you told me to. I fear that the gutter is going to be a little muddy, so I wish to be prepared. I want to brace myself up for the wallow."
"Right you are. That's the way I like to hear a man talk. Now, I've spent the two days since I saw you getting information about your friend Lord Stranleigh, and have learned a number of things that probably you don't know. For instance, are you aware that his yacht has been dry-docked, and won't be out for a month yet?"
"What! in the middle of summer? No, I didn't know that."
"Yes. He went to America on the Adriatic. He would have taken his own yacht if it had been in commission. He ordered new turbine engines put in."
"Really, that's very interesting; but what has it to do with the rubber company?"
"Do you know that the King of Spain has invited Lord Stranleigh to Cadiz to see the Naval
