ple he was
expecting indicated that he might again be drawn into the
rubber-exploiting scheme.

The two gentlemen who had called on Herbert were shown in presently.

"It was I who wrote you," the first of them said; "this is my
colleague, Mr. Nevis."

Singleton bowed.

"Will you take that chair, Mr. Jackson?" He turned to the other man.
"I think you had better have this one; it's comparatively sound."

He was aware that they were looking about his apartment curiously, and
no doubt inferring something from its condition; but this was of no
consequence. He had learned his value and meant to insist on it,
without the assistance of any signs of prosperity.

"I couldn't get up to town, as you suggested," he resumed when they
were seated. "I've been rather busy of late."

"That's generally the case with us," Jackson said pointedly.

He was a thin man, very neatly and quietly dressed, with a solemn face
and an air of importance. Nevis was stouter and more florid, with a
brisker manner, but the stamp of the city was plainly set on both.

"Well," said Singleton, "I'm at your service, now you're here. The
cigars are nearest you, Mr. Nevis, and I can recommend the contents of
the smaller bottle. It's a Southern speciality and rather difficult to
get in England."

Nevis hesitated. He thought it better that the interview should be
conducted on strictly business lines, while to accept the proffered
hospitality would tend to place him and the man he wished to deal with
on a footing of social equality. But it was desirable not to offend
Singleton, and he lighted a cigar.

"To begin with, I must ask if you are still in any way connected with
Mr. Lansing?" he said.

"No," answered Singleton with some grimness. "You can take it for
granted that he has done with me."

"That clears the ground. We have been considering the report you wrote
for him. In our opinion, it was, while not encouraging, hardly
sufficient to warrant his abandoning the project, in which, as you have
been told, we were associated with him."

"He may have had other motives," Singleton suggested.

Nevis nodded gravely, as if in appreciation of his keenness.

"That," he said, "is what occurred to us. But what is your idea of the
scheme?"

"It's clearly stated in the report."

Jackson made a sign of impatience.

"We'll leave the report out and come to the point. Can the rubber,
which you say is really to be found, be collected and broug