Gamble thought for a minute. "I might try," he said. "But would it
be the proper thing for me to do? Of course, I'm out of the business
myself; but I have friends who might bid for the contract."

"Well, your friends can take their chances with the rest," said the
Lieutenant. "I am a friend, too, hang it. And how in the world am I
to find out anything about oil?"

Gamble was silent again. "Well, I'll do what I can for you," he
said, finally. "I'll write out what I know about the qualities of
good oil, and you can use it as you think best."

"All right," said the Lieutenant, with relief.

"But you'll have to agree to say nothing about it," said Gamble.
"It's a delicate matter, you understand."

"You may trust me for that," said the other, laughing. So the
subject was dropped, and they went on with their ride.

Half an hour later Gamble set Montague down, at General Prentice's
door, and he bade them farewell and went in.

The General was coming down the stairs. "Hello, Allan," he said.
"Where have you been?"

"Seeing the place a little," said Montague.

"Come into the drawing-room," said the General. "There's a man in