smallest, would be a priceless gift. It was for her sake he had
spoken. He saw now that he had made a mistake.

"I am very sorry, sir," he said humbly. "Of course I know that
these men have paid an immense sum for their shares in the Bekwando
Syndicate. At the same time it is not my business, and I am sorry
that I spoke."

"It is not your business at any time to remember what I receive for
properties," Scarlett Trent said roughly. "Haven't I told you that
before? What did I say when you came to me? You were to hear
nothing and see nothing outside your duties! Speak up, man! Don't
stand there like a jay!"

The clerk was pale, and there was an odd sensation in his throat.
But he thought of his girl-wife and he pulled himself together.

"You are quite right, sir," he said. "To any one else I should
never have mentioned it. But we were alone, and I thought that the
circumstances might make it excusable."

His employer grunted in an ominous manner.

"When I say forget, I mean forget," he declared. "I don't want to
be reminded by you of my own business. D'ye think I don't know it?"

"I am very sure that you do, sir," the clerk answered humbly. "I
quite see that my allusion was an error."

Scarlett Trent had turned round in his chair, and was eying the