Lord Ragnall in this case was the little old lady with the wand, the touch of which could convert worthless share certificates into bank-notes of their face value.

I remembered now that his wealth was said to be phenomenal and after all the cash capital of the company was quite small.

But the question was--could I accept his bounty?
I returned to the house where the first person whom I met was Lord Ragnall himself, just arrived from some interview about the fifty Snider rifles, which were still in bond.

I told him solemnly that I wished to speak to him, whereon he remarked in a cheerful voice, "Advance, friend, and all's well!" I don't know that I need set out the details of the interview.

He waited till I had got through my halting speech of mingled gratitude and expostulation, then remarked: "My friend, if you will allow me to call you so, it is quite true that I have done this because I wished to do it.