d rich men."

One of Gorman's most delightful characteristics is that he bears no
malice when an argument goes against him.

"Begad, you're right," he said. "Right all the way along. At the present
moment I'm on my way to America to get money for the Party. There's
a man I have my eye on out in Detroit, a fellow with millions, and an
Irishman. I mean to get a good subscription out of him. That's why I'm
on this ship."

"Curious," I said. "I'm after money too. I have some investments in
Canadian railway shares--nothing much, just a few thousands, but a good
deal to me. I'm a little uneasy----"

I looked at Ascher. A man in his position, the head of one of the great
financial houses, ought to be able to give very good advice about my
shares. A word from him about the prospects of Canada generally and the
companies in which I am interested in particular, would be very valuable
to me. Gorman was also looking inquiringly at Ascher. I daresay a tip on
the state of the stock market would be interesting to him. I do not know
whether party funds are invested or kept on deposit receipt on a
bank; but Gorman is likely to have a few pounds of his own. Ascher
misinterpreted our glances. He thought we wanted to know why he was
going to America.

"The condition of Mexico at present," he said, "is causing us all some
anxiety. My partner in New York wants to have a consultation with me.
That's what's bringing me over."

"Ah!" said Gorman. "I rather respect those Mexicans. It's pleasant to
hear of wealthy men like you being hit sometimes."

"It's not exactly that," said Ascher. "As a firm we don't lose directly
whatever happens in Mexico. What we have to consider is the interest
of our customers, the people, some of them quite small people, who went
into Mexican railways on our advice. Banking houses don't put their
money into investments. That's not our business. But banking is a very
dull subject. Let's talk of something else."

He turned to me as he spoke.

"You were speaking just now," he said, "about the necessity of putting
up money for the support of theatres. If we are to have any real
dramatic art in England----"

Banking is a fascinatingly interesting subject compared to art; but
Ascher does not think so, and Ascher had taken hold of the conversation.
He appealed to Gorman as a man whose services to literature and drama
had never been properly recognised. He appealed to me as a member of
a cultured class. Neither o