"I hope you are not going to take Miss Falconer away, sir?" said

Stafford.

Ralph Falconer shook his head, and, avoiding his daughter's eye, said: "Sir Stephen wants to see you in the library, Mr. Orme, and wishes me

to accompany you."

"Certainly, if Miss Falconer will excuse me."

He rose, and he fancied her hand trembled slightly as it rested almost

as lightly as a feather on his arm.

"I'll take you to Lady Clansford--"

"There is no need: here is my next partner," she said, as the

"beautiful, bountiful Bertie" came up smiling and buoyant.

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"Anything the matter, sir?" asked Stafford, as he and Falconer made

their way round the room through which was floating the last thing in

waltzes, a soft and sensuous melody which sang the soul to rest.

"I think not. A matter of business, I think," said Ralph Falconer. "His

secretary, Mr. Murray, has just come from London: it may be something

to do with the papers he had brought."

Stafford nodded, though the explanation seemed unsatisfactory: for what

concern had Stafford with the "papers"? As they went through the hall

they saw the financiers clustered together with an expectant air, as if

they were waiting for the result of the arrival of the man by the

special train; and they stared at Falconer and exchanged glances as he

and Stafford passed them and went to the library door.

Sir Stephen's voice came cheerily in response to Stafford's knock, and

Stafford entered; Falconer following him with bent head and the same

heavy look.

Sir Stephen was sitting at the table before a despatch box, and he held

out his hand and uttered a little cry of pleasure as he saw who it was.

"Stafford, my boy! You could not have come at a better moment--Don't

go, Falconer! I'd like you to hear me tell him the good news. I've got

it here!"

He patted the despatch case. "This is Pandora's box, Staff! With

something better than Hope at the bottom: Certainty!"

He laughed quietly, confidently, and his bright eyes flashed under

their dark brows from one to the other.

"Murray has just arrived, Falconer, with the good news!" he took out

the gold chain to which the key of the despatch box was fastened, and

inserted it in the lock. "The good news, Staff! I haven't bothered and

bored you with details; but you know, my dear boy, that I have had a

big scheme on hand for some time past--a very big scheme. It has been

rather a touch-and-go business, but I think I have managed to pull it

off--eh, Falconer? The last day or two has been one of suspense--great

suspense--but success has come. You don't care for money, Staff, I

know. Nor do I. Honestly, no! Not for the mere money, but for what it

can buy and bring. But even you will have some respect for a million

and a half, Staff."




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