Page:Robert Barr - Lord Stranleigh Philanthropist.djvu/314

 to come to the 'phone? . . . What? . . . The Earl of Stranleigh—Lord Stranleigh—S-t-r-a-n-l-e-i-g-h. . . thank you. I'll hold the line."

Now there will be given what Stranleigh knew he said, and supposed that Mackeller heard, and later will be shown the mistake that arose.

"That you, Peter? How are you?"

"Oh, first-rate. What can I do for you?"

"I suppose you're pretty busy just now?"

"Yes, and shall be for the next month to come."

"Well, then, now's a good time to desert duty and join me. You always prospered, Peter, when you linked your fortunes with mine."

"What do you want?"

"I have become interested in a mining property. I want you to go right away and examine it."

"Oh, hang it all, I've given up that sort of thing long ago! London is full of excellent mining engineers."

"True; but they are not Peter Mackellers," and then Stranleigh added under his breath, "Thank the Lord!" but that injudicious ejaculation did not go over the wires.

"I'm sorry it is impossible, Stranleigh."

"Nothing is impossible, Peter, when a man has made up his mind. I always did manage your business better than you could yourself, though you