They informed Bruce confidentially that a thoroughly reliable man in Johannesburg, to whom they had cabled, reported very strongly in favor of the property. They would await his written statement before finally committing themselves. Meanwhile, if Messrs. Dodge, Son & Co. (Limited) were anxious to get the business advanced a stage, there was no reason why he (Bruce) should not assure them that, subject to the first satisfactory report being confirmed, his clients would underwrite the shares. The whole thing would thus go through in about three weeks. As for Bruce himself, they proposed to give him a commission of five per cent in fully paid shares for the introduction. 

"Well, I never!" he laughed. "Now who would have thought such a thing possible? Why, if that rascal Dodge is right and this company is really a sound undertaking, my share of the deal will be £10,000. It seems wildly incredible, yet my friends know what they are writing about as a rule." 

An hour later he was in the city. 

A smart brougham stood in front of the now thoroughly renovated offices of Dodge, Son & Co. (Limited), and out of it, at the moment the barrister detached himself from the chaos of Leadenhall Street, stepped the head of the firm. 

He was making up the steps when Claude cried: 

"Hello, Mr. Dodge, how is the junior partner?" 

Dodge stopped, focussed Bruce with his sharp eyes, and smiled: 

"Oh, it is you, is it? The young 'un is all right, thanks. Are you coming in?" 

"That was my intention." 

"Come along then. I was hoping I would see you one of these days." 

"Has business improved recently?" inquired Bruce, as they entered the inner office. 

"Yes, somewhat; but money is very tight still. However, we generally look for a spurt early in the New Year. Why do you ask?" 

"No valid reason. A mere hazard." 

"Was it because you saw me drive up in a carriage?" 

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