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342 said to you, and ask him to make a dignified speech from my front steps, embodying my remarks. Ponderby ought to do this sort of thing impressively."

At half-past eleven the trio walked from the club to Lord Stranleigh's residence. The newspaper boys were flying through the streets with flaring contents bills put out by the evening Press.

"Stock Exchange Thunderbolt!" appeared on one in huge type. "Lord Stranleigh buys the Great Southern. Unprecedented jump of fifteen points in the stock."

Another had it:

"Lord Stranleigh and the Great Southern! Clean Sweep of the Management. Determination to make the Southern equal to the Midland!"

Another sheet read:

"Lord Stranleigh makes twenty-five millions between two games of billiards. Buys Southern at eleven and can sell it now for twenty-seven."

Once inside the hall of Stranleigh House, Ponderby whispered to his master:

"The General Manager of the Great Southern has been waiting here for half an hour, my lord."

"All right. Show him into the breakfast-room."

"I have come to talk business," said Mr. Preston, declining the proffered chair.

"No, you haven't," replied Lord Stranleigh.