“I don’t know,” said Fane, grinning his saurian grin, “why you all assume that Neergard is such a social outcast.  I played cards with him last week and he lost like a gentleman.”

“I didn’t say he was a social outcast,” retorted Mottly—­“because he’s never been inside of anything to be cast out, you know.”

“He seems to be inside this deal,” ventured Orchil with his suave smile.  And to Selwyn, who had been restlessly facing first one, then another:  “We came—­it was the idea of several among us—­to put the matter up to you.  Which was rather foolish, because you couldn’t have engineered the thing and remained what we know you to be.  So—­”

“Wait!” said Selwyn brusquely; “I do not admit for one moment that there is anything dishonourable in this deal!—­nor do I accept your right to question it from that standpoint.  As far as I can see, it is one of those operations which is considered clever among business folk, and which is admired and laughed over in reputable business circles.  And I have no doubt that hundreds of well-meaning business men do that sort of thing daily—­yes, thousands!” He shrugged his broad shoulders.  “Because I personally have not chosen to engage in matters of this—­ah—­description, is no reason for condemning the deal or its method—­”

“Every reason!” said Orchil, laughing cordially—­“every reason, Captain Selwyn.  Thank you; we know now exactly where we stand.  It was very good of you to let us come, and I’m sorry some of us had the bad taste to show any temper—­”

“He means me,” added Draymore, offering his hand; “good-bye, Captain Selwyn; I dare say we are up against it hard.”

“Because we’ve got to buy in that property or close up the Siowitha,” added Mottly, coming over to make his adieux.  “By the way, Selwyn, you ought to be one of us in the Siowitha—­”

“Thank you, but isn’t this rather an awkward time to suggest it?” said Selwyn good-humouredly.

Fane burst into a sonorous laugh and wagged his neck, saying:  “Not at all!  Not at all!  Your reward for having the decency to stay out of the deal is an invitation from us to come in and be squeezed into a jelly by Mr. Neergard.  Haw!  Haw!”

And so, one by one, with formal or informal but evidently friendly leave-taking, they went away.  And Selwyn followed them presently, walking until he took the Subway at Forty-second Street for his office.

As he entered the elaborate suite of rooms he noticed some bright new placards dangling from the walls of the general office, and halted to read them: 

     “WHY PAY RENT!

What would you say if we built a house for you in Beautiful Siowitha Park and gave you ten years to pay for it!

     If anybody says

     YOU ARE A FOOL!

to expect this, refer him to us and we will answer him according to his folly.

     TO PAY RENT

when you might own a home in Beautiful Siowitha Park, is not wise.  We expect to furnish plans, or build after your own plans.