the Chartered Company, for the soldiers, and all the other things, if IT
couldn't, and take over the shares if it went smash, because there were
lords and dukes and princes connected with it. And why shouldn't they pay
for his company? He would have a lord in it too!

Peter Halket looked into the fire completely absorbed in his calculations.-
-Peter Halket, Esq., Director of the Peter Halket Gold Mining Company,
Limited. Then, when he had got thousands, Peter Halket, Esq., M.P. Then,
when he had millions, Sir Peter Halket, Privy Councillor!

He reflected deeply, looking into the blaze. If you had five or six
millions you could go where you liked and do what you liked. You could go
to Sandringham. You could marry anyone. No one would ask what your mother
had been; it wouldn't matter.

A curious dull sinking sensation came over Peter Halket; and he drew in his
broad leathern belt two holes tighter.

Even if you had only two millions you could have a cook and a valet, to go
with you when you went into the veld or to the wars; and you could have as
much champagne and other things as you liked. At that moment that seemed
to Peter more important than going to Sandringham.

He took out his flask of Cape Smoke, and drew a tiny draught from it.

Other men had come to South Africa with nothing, and had made everything!
Why should not he?

He stuck small branches under the two great logs, and a glorious flame
burst out. Then he listened again intently. The wind was falling and the