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Rh Bendale does not believe in your plan of utilising separate buildings and knocking doorways through the partitions. It might be well for you to call on him if you are interested in this sort of thing. I am sure you will find him most reasonable and ready to meet you, and although you must be prepared to sell out to him—you taught him the game yourself, Brassard, you know—I am confident he might consider the advisability of putting you in as manager of that section of the business which you have already built with such patient genius."

"I'd rather deal with you, sir."

"I regret that what you propose is impossible. I never interfere with a capable man; and Bendale, in a manner of speaking, married one of us, if I may put it that way, and we Stranleighs are very clannish. We stand by whoever springs from the Stranleigh soil. I shall be very glad to write you a note of introduction that will assure you at least a courteous reception from Mr. Bendale. It will be some return for your kindness in offering me the position of floorwalker at two pounds a week. One good turn—you know the adage, of course. Now, may I have the pleasure of doing this for you, Mr. Brassard?"

"I suppose that's the only thing left."

"Quite right. You always were an alert man to grasp a situation."

Lord Stranleigh touched a bell.