"That," began one of the Harrisons ponderously, "would, of course,
largely depend----"

"I'll take five thousand. Lock, stock, and barrel, including the
present staff, an even five thousand. How's that?"

"Five thousand is a large----"

"Take it or leave it."

"My dear sir, you hold a pistol to our heads. However, I think that our
client might consent to the sum you mention."

"Good. Well, directly I get his check, the thing's his. By the way, who
is your client?"

Mr. Harrison coughed.

"His name," he said, "will be familiar to you. He is the eminent
financier, Mr. Geoffrey Windlebird."





THE DIVERTING EPISODE OF THE EXILED MONARCH

Fifth of a Series of Six Stories
[First published in _Pictorial Review_, September 1916]