thdrew into the outer office, closing the door behind him
and still walking on tiptoe.

"Mr. Pratt will see you in a few minutes," he said, with the air of
one who imparts great news. "Please be seated."

The two men subsided into chairs. Dauncey thrust a sheet of paper into
a typewriter and desperately dashed off a few lines to an imaginary
correspondent. Then the bell from the inner office rang, and,
beckoning the two men to follow him, he opened the door of Jacob's
sanctum and ushered them in. Mr. Dane Montague advanced to the desk
with a winning smile.

"My name is Dane Montague," he announced, ostentatiously drawing off
his glove and holding out a white, pudgy hand. "I am delighted to meet
you, Mr. Pratt. This is my friend, Mr. James Littleham. The name may
be known to you in connection with various building contracts."

Jacob thrust away the papers upon which he had been engaged, with an
air of resignation.

"Pray be seated, gentlemen," he invited. "My time is scarcely my own
just now. May I ask you to explain the nature of your business in as
few words as possible?"

"Those are my methods exactly," Mr. Dane Montague declared, throwing
himself into the client's chair, balancing his finger tips together,
and frowning slightly. It was in this position that he had once been
photographed as the organiser of a stillborn Exhibition.

"My friend Littleham," he continued, "is a builder of great
experience. I am, in my small way, a financier. We have called to
propose a business enterprise to you."

"Go on," Jacob said.

"You are doubtless aware that large sums of money have recently been
made by the exploitation in suitable spots of what have become known
as Garden Cities."

Jacob gave a noncommittal nod and his visitor cleared his throat.

"Mr. Littleham and I have a scheme which goes a little further," he
went on. "We have discovered a tract of land within easy distance of
London, where genuine country residences can be built and offered at a
ridiculously moderate cost."

"Land speculation, eh?"

"Not a speculation at all," was the prompt reply. "A certainty!
Littleham, please oblige me with that plan."

Mr. Littleham produced an architect's roll from his pocket. His
companion spread it out upon the desk before Jacob and drew an
imitation gold pencil from his pocket.

"All along here," he explained, tapping upon the plan, "is a common,
sloping gently towards the south. The views all around are wonder