If anything, they hailed the adventure with decorous hilarity.

It formed a welcome break in the monotony of their drab lives.

Of course, they were utterly incredulous as to the ability of a scarecrow like Dom Corria to fulfil his financial pledges.

Therein they erred.

He was really a very rich man, having followed the illustrious example set by generations of South American Presidents in accumulating a fine collection of gilt-edged scrip during his tenure of office, which said scrip was safely lodged in London, Paris, and New York.