Three years ago he became a baronet." "How did a man like Van Koop become a baronet ?" I inquired.
"By purchase, I believe." "By purchase! Are honours in England purchased ?" "You are delightfully innocent, Mr.Quatermain, as a hunter from Africa should be," said Lord Ragnall, laughing.

"Your friend----" "Excuse me, Lord Ragnall, I am a very humble person, not so elevated, indeed, as that gamekeeper of yours; therefore I should not venture to call Sir Junius, late Mr.van Koop, my friend, at least in earnest." He laughed again.
"Well, the individual with whom you make bets subscribed largely to the funds of his party.

I am telling you what I know to be true, though the amount I do not know.

It has been variously stated to be from fifteen to fifty thousand pounds, and, perhaps by coincidence, subsequently was somehow created a baronet." I stared at him.
"That's all the story," he went on.

"I don't like the man myself, but he is a wonderful pheasant shot, which passes him everywhere.