The shipowner required no second bidding.  With the skill for which he was noted, he described his operations in detail, telling how every farthing of the first instalments of the two great loans was paid up, how the earnings of his fleet would quickly overtake the deficit in capital value caused by the loss of the three ships, and how, in six months’ time, the leading financial houses of London, Paris, and Berlin would be offering him more money than he would need.

To a shrewd man of business the project could not fail to commend itself, and the Yorkshire squire, though a trifle obstinate in temper, was singularly clear-headed in other respects.  He brought his great fist down on the table with a whack.

“Send a cable to your company, Sir Arthur,” he cried, “and tell them that your prospective son-in-law will provide the ten thousand pounds you require.  I will see that his draft is honored.  You can add, if you like, that another ten will be ready if wanted when this lot is spent.  I did my lad one d—­er—­deuced bad turn in my life.  This time, I think, I am doing him a good one.”

“You are, indeed,” said Iris’s father enthusiastically.  “The unallotted capital he is taking up will be worth four times its face value in two years.”

“All the more reason to make his holding twenty instead of ten,” roared the Yorkshireman.  “But look here.  You talk about dropping proceedings against that precious earl whom I saw to-day.  Why not tell him not to try any funny tricks until Robert’s money is safely lodged to your account?  We have him in our power.  Dash it all, let us use him a bit.”

Even Iris laughed at this naive suggestion.  It was delightful to think that their arch enemy was actually helping the baronet’s affairs at that very moment, and would continue to do so until he was flung aside as being of no further value.  Although Ventnor himself had carefully avoided any formal commitment, the cablegrams awaiting the shipowner at Singapore showed that confidence had already been restored by the uncontradicted use of his lordship’s name.

Robert at last obtained a hearing.

“You two are quietly assuming the attitude of the financial magnates of this gathering,” he said.  “I must admit that you have managed things very well between you, and I do not propose for one moment to interfere with your arrangements.  Nevertheless, Iris and I are really the chief moneyed persons present.  You spoke of financial houses in England and on the Continent backing up your loans six months hence, Sir Arthur.  You need not go to them.  We will be your bankers.”

The baronet laughed with a whole-hearted gaiety that revealed whence Iris got some part, at least, of her bright disposition.

“Will you sell your island, Robert?” he cried.  “I am afraid that not even Iris could wheedle any one into buying it.”

“But father, dear,” interrupted the girl earnestly, “what Robert says is true.  We have a gold mine there.  It is worth so much that you will hardly believe it until then? can no longer be any doubt in your mind.  I suppose that is why Robert asked me not to mention his discovery to you earlier.”