William Longworth, with his silk
hat as glossy as a mirror, a general trim and prosperous appearance about
him, a flower in his buttonhole and his eyeglass in its place.
'Good-morning, gentlemen,' he said. 'I thought I should find you here,
and so I did not call at your office, Wentworth. Ah,' he cried, looking
round, 'this is the proper caper! These offices look even better than I
thought they would. I just got back this morning,' he added, turning to
his partners.
'Indeed,' said Wentworth, 'we are very glad to see you. How did you enjoy
your trip to Paris?'
The young man did not appear in the least abashed by this remark. He
merely elevated his eyebrows, shrugged his shoulders, and said:
'Ah, well, as both of you are doubtless aware, Paris is not what it used
to be. Still, I had a very good time there.'
'I'm glad of that,' said Wentworth; 'and did you see the gentlemen you
expected to meet?'
'I must confess I did not. I did not think it was necessary. I have five
or six men interested already, practically pledged to furnish all the
capital.' And, saying this, he walked round the desk at which they stood,
and sat down, throwing the right leg across the left and clasping his
knee in his hands.
'Well, what has been done during my absence? The mine floated yet?'
'No,' said Wentworth; 'the mine is not yet floated. Now, Mr. Longworth,
the time has come for plain speaking. You have gone off to Paris without
a word of warning to us at a very critical time, and you have not
answered any of the letters I sent to you.
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