He had put South African money in his purse--whether honestly or not, no one inquired--the fact remained he had put it in his purse.

Sometimes the law confiscated it, pretending he had purchased diamonds illegally, or what not, but then the young man did _not_ return from the Cape.

But, to do him justice, the secret of his success was less dishonesty than the opportunities for initiative energy in unexploited districts.

Besides, not having to keep up appearances, he descended to menial occupations and toiled so long and terribly that he would probably have made just as much money at home, if he had had the courage.

Be this as it may, there the money was, and, armed with it, the young man set sail literally for England, home and beauty, resuming his cast-off gentility with several extra layers of superciliousness.