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Rh his chair as he glanced at the clock. "It's midnight, and I promised to be home by ten. I'll take my revenge another night, Hazel."

"Midnight?" cried the Honourable John. "I have an appointment at midnight, and forgot all about it;" so he, too, rose, and made for the telephone booth.

He rang up Isaacstein, who finally answered.

"This is John Hazel. I called at your office in the City to-day, and you pretended you were too busy to see me."

"What did you want to see me about?" asked Isador in no very cordial tones.

"Why, I want to know how the Honduras Central Rubber Company is getting on."

"What business is that of yours? You're not an investor."

"Why, my dear Isaacstein, you disappoint me. I expected that with two clear days to yourself, you would have evolved a scheme that would settle all our difficulties. You're not nearly as ingenious as I thought."

"I am ingenious enough," cried Isador, "if I can only get the men to carry out my plans. I've made up my mind that you are no good. You talk a lot, but you don't do anything."

"I do my best, and that's all that can be expected of a man. It's impossible for me, or you either, to force Stranleigh into your company if he's made