“And what now?” asked Jack.

“Now your work must come in,” said Sedgwick.  “You and your wife must go to England as soon as Tom is a little better.  In your own way, make arrangements to have announced, so that Hamlin, Jenvie and Stetson will see it, that there is a good deal of movement in ‘The Wedge of Gold’; have substantially the same report, only differently worded, as that contained in the prospectus which you were caught on; let it be known through what brokers the stock is being handled, and have copies of the reports in their hands, only fix the price at L1 per share.  If the old men please to buy, let them have some of the stock.  If they do not, we will try to make them sorry that they did not buy when they could.  By the way, have you still your hand on Emanuel, and can you depend upon him?”

“I think I can,” said Jack.

“Well, then,” said Sedgwick, “if no news of the mill has been received in England, and the conspirators think you are merely trying to unload some of your stock on the old report, may be if they can be handled right, they may be induced to sell some of the stock short.  If they can, perhaps we can get back some of the money from them.”

“I understand,” said Jack, “and I believe I can work it.”

“Especially if, when I get to England with the bullion, we can call a meeting and declare a dividend,” said Sedgwick.

“I see,” said Browning.  “But, old boy, I wish you had let me help you work this thing out.  I do, by Jove.”

Just then Grace and Rose came out on the veranda, where the old friends were talking.

Rose bent over and put her arms around Jack’s neck, and said:  “Dear old Jack, do you know what day this is?”

“Why, little one?” asked Jack.

“O, you stupid!” said Rose.

“What is to-day?” asked Sedgwick.

“Another stupid!” said Rose.  “Two beautiful and accomplished ladies go to church and give respectability to two of the wild tribe of the West, by marrying them, and they forget it in a little year.”

“It was this day year, on my soul,” said Jack.  “It was, by Jove.”

“Come here, sweet,” said Sedgwick to Grace.  Then taking her in his arms he kissed her, and said:  “My days have been turned into nights of late, else I would not have forgotten.  Are you glad you are married, Grace?”

“Very glad,” Grace whispered.  “Are you glad?”

“Very,” said Sedgwick, “even as is the ransomed soul when the symphonies of Summer Land first give their enchantment to the spirit ear.”

“I will tell you why I forgot, Rose,” said Jack.  “My life did not count until you became a part of myself.  I am really but a year old, and you do not chide one-year-old kids for being forgetful.”

“What glorified prevaricators these men are, Grace, are they not?” said Rose.

“O, Rose!” said Grace.  “The mission of woman is to suffer and be devoted in her suffering, and how could we carry out our mission if all men were good, and had good memories, and did not run away to Africa and Venezuela and Australia, and come home with fevers, and—­and—.”  Then she kissed Sedgwick, and jumping up caught Rose by the arm, and said:  “Let us punish them by running away from them.”