"Yes, they returned rather suddenly the day before yesterday. By the
way, he is impatient to see you. He wouldn't mind my telling you, for
that is what he wants to do. He has had a great streak of luck. You
remember the big investments you advised him to make in wild
timberlands in Alabama and North Georgia a few years ago? Well, your
judgment was good--capital. His agent has closed out his entire
holdings for a big cash sum. I don't know the exact figure, but he
banked a round one hundred thousand with us yesterday, and said more
was coming."

Mostyn stared excitedly. "I thought it would be a good thing, but I
didn't expect him to find a buyer so soon."

Saunders smiled. "I know you thought so," he chuckled. "He is as happy
as a school-boy. He is crazy to tell you about it. He thinks a lot of
you. He swears by your judgment. In fact, he said plainly that he
expected you to handle this money for him. He says he has some ideas
he wants you to join him in. He sticks to it that you are the greatest
financier in the South."

Mostyn drew his lips tight. "He is getting childish," he said,
irritably. "I have no better judgment than any one else--Delbridge,
for instance, is ahead of me."

"Delbridge _is_ lucky," Saunders smiled. "They say he has made another
good deal in cotton."

"How was that?" Mostyn shrugged his shoulders and stared, his brows
lifted.