"I quite understand," said Bones, all a-quiver with excitement.
"And then I met Harry and Jim. They said they'd got somebody who would
put the money up, an American fellow, Rockefeller. Have you ever heard
of him?"
"I've heard of him," said Bones; "he's got a paraffin mine."
"It may be he has, it may be he hasn't," said Mr. Dibbs and rose.
"Well, sir, I'm very much obliged to you for your kindness. If you'll
direct me to Mr. Tibbetts's office----"
It was a dramatic moment.
"I am Mr. Tibbetts," said Bones simply.
Blank incredulity was on the face of Mr. Dibbs.
"You?" he said. "But I thought Mr. Tibbetts was an older gentleman?"
"Dear old treasure-finder," said Bones, "be assured I am Mr. Tibbetts.
This is my office, and this is my desk. People think I am older
because----" He smiled a little sadly, then: "Sit down!" he thundered.
"Let us go into this."
He went into the matter, and the City clocks were booming one when he
led his mariner friend into the street.
He was late at the office the next morning, because he was young and
healthy and required nine hours of the deepest slumber that Morpheus
kept in stock.
The grey-eyed girl was typing at a very respectable speed the notes
Bones had given her the evening before. There was a telegram awaiting
him, which he read with satisfaction. Then: "Leave your work, my young typewriter," said Bones imperiously. "I
have a matter of the greatest importance to discuss with you! See that
all the doors are closed," he whispered; "lock 'em if necessary."
"I hardly think that's necessary," said the girl. "You see, if anybody
came and found all the doors locked----"
"Idiot!" said Bones, very red.
"I beg your pardon," said the startled girl.
"I was speaking to me," said Bones rapidly. "This is a matter of the
greatest confidence, my jolly old Marguerite "--he paused, shaking at
his temerity, for it was only on the previous day that he had
discovered her name--"a matter which requires tact and discretion,
young Marguerite----"
"You needn't say it twice," she said.
"Well once," said Bones, brightening up. "That's a bargain--I'll call
you Marguerite once a day. Now, dear old Marguerite, listen to this."
She listened with the greatest interest, jotting down the preliminary
expenses. Purchase of steamer, five thousand pounds; provisioning of
same, three thousand pounds, etc., etc. She even undertook to make a
copy of the plan which Mr. Dibbs had given into his charge, and which
Bones told her had not left him day nor night.
"I put it in my pyjama pocket when I went to bed," he explained
unnecessarily, "and----" He began to pat himself all over,
consternation in his face.