ictly to account for and pay into the bank
daily to Mr Medlock's account. He needn't send receipts, Mr Medlock
would see to that. Any orders that came he was to take copies of, and
then forward them to Mr John Smith, Weaver's Hotel, London, "to be
called for," for execution. He would have to answer the questions of
any who called to make inquiries, without of course disclosing any
business secrets. In fact, as the aim of the Corporation was to supply
their supporters with goods at the lowest possible price, they naturally
met with a good deal of jealousy from tradesmen and persons of that
sort, so that Reginald must be most guarded in all he said. If it
became known how their business was carried on, others would be sure to
attempt an imitation; and the whole scheme would fail.

"You know, Mr Reginald," said he--

"Excuse me," interrupted Reginald, "I'm afraid you're mistaken about my
name. You've printed it Cruden Reginald, it should be Reginald Cruden."

"Dear me, how extraordinarily unfortunate!" said Mr Medlock; "I quite
understood that was your name. And the unlucky part of it is, we have
got all the circulars printed, and many of them circulated. I have also
given your name as Mr Reginald to the directors, and advertised it, so
that I don't see what can be done, except to keep it as it is. After
all, it is a common thing, and it would put us to the greatest
inconvenience to alter it now. Dear me, when I saw you in London I
called you Mr Reginald, didn't I?"

"No, sir; you called me Mr Cruden."

"I must have supposed it was your Christian name, then."

"Perhaps it doesn't matter much," said Reginald; "and I don't wish to
put the directors to any trouble."

"To be sure I knew you would not. Well, I was saying, Reginald (that's
right, whatever way you take it!) the directors look upon you as a
gentleman of character and education, and are satisfied to allow you to
use your discretion and good sense in conducting their business. You
have their names, which you can show to any one. They are greatly
scattered, so that our Board meetings will be rare. Meanwhile they will
be glad to hear how you are getting on, and will, I know, appreciate and
recognise your services. By the way, I believe I mentioned (but really
my memory is so bad) that we should ask you to qualify to the extent of
L50 in the shares of the company?"

"Oh yes, I have the cheque here," said Reginald, taking it out of his
pocket.