wish, or make up a party if you like, or we'll go alone together. Just scrawl a word or two on the end of this sheet, and I shall know what to do."
Stranleigh wrote: "All right, Jack, I'm with you, on condition I'm allowed to pay half the expenses. I don't want a crowd unless you do, and will be quite happy in your company. Dine with me to- night at the Corinthian, eight o'clock, and we will settle details. Ever yours, Stranleigh," and these words, heedlessly dashed off, caused Jack Hazel's bank account to swell by five thousand pounds be fore closing time, but to get the amount in one instalment instead of two, he was compelled to deliver this document to Mr. Isaacstein.
"There, that settles the Honourable Jack till eight o'clock to-night. He's a persistent beggar after all, and has more determination than I thought. I feared the City would demoralise him, but it doesn't seem to have done so. He's made a strike, he tells me, and is going to live happy ever after. I'm very glad to hear it, for Jack's a good sort when he has plenty of money. Now, Professor, what's the decision?"
"The decision is what it has been from the moment I first saw you. I want to keep this as secret as possible, until my instruments are perfected, but I'll tell you all about it if you'll listen."
"Fire away, then."
"It occurred to me that if these lines of ether, and
