One could never be sure how far Godfrey was serious when he talked
like this; the humorous impulse so blended with the excitability of
his imagination, that people who knew him little and heard him
talking at large thought him something of a crack-brain. The odd
thing was that, with all his peculiarities, he had many of the
characteristics of a sound man of business; indeed, had it been
otherwise, the balance-sheets of the refinery must long ago have
shown a disastrous deficit. As Warburton knew, things had been
managed with no little prudence and sagacity; what he did not so
clearly understand was that Sherwood had simply adhered to the
traditions of the firm, following very exactly the path marked out
for him by his father and his uncle, both notable traders.
Concerning Godfrey's private resources, Warburton knew little or
nothing; it seemed probable that the elder Sherwood had left a
considerable fortune, which his only son must have inherited. No
doubt, said Will to himself, this large reserve was the explanation
of his partner's courage.

So the St. Kitts estate was sold, and, with all the deliberate
dignity demanded by the fact that the Government's eye was upon
them, Sherwood Brothers proceeded to terminate their affairs in
Whitechapel. In July, Warburton took his three weeks' holiday, there
being nothing better for him to do. And among the letters he found
on his table when he returned, was one from Sherwood, which
contained only these words:

"Great opportunity in view. Our fortunes are made!"