ow that if you will only advertise sufficiently
you may make a fortune by selling anything. Only the interest on
the money expended increases in so large a ratio in accordance with
the magnitude of the operation! If you spend a few hundreds in
advertising you throw them away. A hundred thousand pounds well laid
out makes a certainty of anything."

"What am I to get to show for my money;--I mean immediately, you
know?"

"Registered shares in the Company."

"The Bios Company?"

"No;--we did propose to call ourselves Parker and Co., limited. I
think we shall change the name. They will probably use my name. Lopez
and Co., limited."

"But it's all for Bios?"

"Oh yes;--all for Bios."

"And it's to come from Central Africa?"

"It will be rectified in London, you know. Some English spirit will
perhaps be mixed. But I must not tell you the secrets of the trade
till you join us. That Bios is distilled from the bark of the
Duffer-tree is a certainty."

"Have you drank any?"

"I've tasted it."

"Is it nice?"

"Very nice;--rather sweet, you know, and will be the better for
mixing."

"Gin?" suggested her ladyship.

"Perhaps so,--or whisky. I think I may say that you can't do very
much better with your money. You know I would not say this to you
were it not true. In such a matter I treat you just as if,--as if you
were my sister."

"I know how good you are,--but seven thousand five hundred! I
couldn't raise so much as that just at present."

"There are to be six shares," said Lopez, "making L45,000 capital.
Would you consent to take a share jointly with me? That would be
three thousand seven hundred and fifty."

"But you have a share already," said Lizzie suspiciously.

"I should then divide that with Mr. Parker. We intend to register at
any rate as many as nine partners. Would you object to hold it with
me?" Lopez, as he asked the question, looked at her as though he were
offering her half his heart.

"No," said Lizzie, slowly, "I don't suppose I should object to that."

"I should be doubly eager about the affair if I were in partnership
with you."

"It's such a venture."

"Nothing venture nothing have."

"But I've got something as it is, Mr. Lopez, and I don't want to lose
it all."

"There's no chance of that if you join us."

"You think Bios is so sure!"

"Quite safe," said Lopez.

"You must give me a little more time to think about it," said Lady
Eustace at last, panting with anxiety, stru