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324 me twenty thousand shares in the Great Southern Railway about two years ago?"

"Oh, yes."

"What price did you pay?"

"I can't say off-hand. I could tell you in the morning after I have looked at my books. It was something like thirty-four, I think."

"And what price did the stock close at to-day?"

"Oh, it's away down to eleven and a half. If you are thinking of selling, Lord Stranleigh, I strongly advise you not to. You couldn't sell the Mint itself to-day. You've no idea of the state of business. Why, I sat in my office from nine o'clock till five and I swear there was not a thing doing. I didn't earn my lunch."

"Oh, you always were a luxurious feeder, Montague, and shouldn't expect to earn a lunch every day in the year. I'll give you a chance to accumulate enough for three full meals to-morrow. Are you listening?"

"Oh, yes, my lord."

"Very well, I want you to buy for me a majority of stock in the Great Southern Railway."

"What?"

"I wish to acquire a majority of stock in the Great Southern Railway, and I mentioned my twenty thousand shares, which I now hold, so that you may take them into your calculations."