Page:Edgar Jepson--the four philanthropists.djvu/122

116 "There's no excuse for me. I ought to have made a better job of him," said Chelubai.

"Couldn't you have another try at him?" said Angel brightly.

Chelubai shook his head and said: "I'm afraid not. There'll be no getting within a hundred yards of him for the next three years. He'll jump ten yards whenever he sees his own shadow."

"Anyhow, it's a blessing that we haven't got to worry any more about what the police are up to," said Bottiger cheerfully.

"That's a very personal way of looking at it—there's an element of selfishness in it," said Chelubai.

"Well, my head does feel tighter on my shoulders," said Bottiger stubbornly.

"You mustn't be discouraged by a partial failure at the beginning; wait till we get our hands in," said I in a cheering tone.

"Oh, I'm not discouraged. I'm like Bruce and the spider: a check like this only makes me more strenuous," said Chelubai. "I'm for our going into it more earnestly than ever."

"Yes, that's my feeling. And I think we ought to set about making a list of all the heirs we know at once."

"Why of the heirs?" said Angel.

"Because always behind an heir you find an enemy of Humanity—an objectionable person with money," said I.