And here, you see, I've made five pounds at a stroke--five pounds! Suppose I make that every now and then, it's worth the trouble, you know--it mounts up.

And I shall never stand to lose much.

You see, it's Tripcony's interest that I should make profits.' 'I'm not quite sure of that.' 'Oh, but it _is_! Let me explain--' These two had come to know each other under peculiar circumstances a year ago.

Rolfe was at Brussels, staying--his custom when abroad--at a hotel unfrequented by English folk.

One evening on his return from the theatre, he learnt that a young man of his own nationality lay seriously ill in a room at the top of the house.