If you will sit down, Major Strike, you shall hear what you wish to know.' This being presently complied with, though not before a glare of the Major's eyes had shown his doubt whether it might not be construed into insolence, Evan pursued: 'I came to you and informed you that I could not reconcile the cash-accounts of the Company, and that certain of the later proceedings appeared to me to jeopardize its prosperity.

Your explanations did not satisfy me.

I admit that you enjoined me to be silent.

But the Duke, as a Director, had as strong a right to claim me as his servant, and when he questioned me as to the position of the Company, I told him what I thought, just as I had told you.' 'You told him we were jobbers and swindlers, sir!' 'The Duke inquired of me whether I would, under the circumstances, while proceedings were going on which I did not approve of, take the responsibility of allowing my name to remain--' 'Ha! ha! ha!' the Major burst out.

This was too good a joke.