‘So you saw Mutimer about it?’ Rodman asked, turning to a detail in which he was specially interested.

‘Yes.  He is anxious to have shares.’

Mr. Hilary was a man of past middle age, long-bearded, somewhat cadaverous of hue.  His head was venerable.

‘You were careful not to mention me?’

‘I kept your caution in mind.’

Their tone to each other was one of perfect gravity.  Mr. Hilary even went out of his way to choose becoming phrases.

’He won’t have anything to do with it if he gets to know who R. Delancey is.’

’I was prudent, believe me.  I laid before him the aspects of the undertaking which would especially interest him.  I made it clear to him that our enterprise is no less one of social than of commercial importance; he entered into our views very heartily.  The first time I saw him, I merely invited him to glance over our prospectus; yesterday he was more than willing to join our association—­and share our profits.’

’Did he tell you how much he’d got out of those poor devils over there?’

’A matter of sixty pounds, I gathered.  I am not a little astonished at his success.’

’Oh, he’d talk the devil himself into subscribing to a mission if it suited him to try.’

’He is clearly very anxious to get the highest interest possible for his money.  His ideas on business seemed, I confess, rather vague.  I did my best to help him with suggestions.’

‘Of course.’

‘He talked of taking some five hundred pounds’ worth of shares on his own account.’

The men regarded each other.  Rodman’s lips curled; Mr. Hilary was as grave as ever.

‘You didn’t balk him?’

‘I commended his discretion.’

Rodman could not check a laugh.

‘I am serious,’ said Mr. Hilary.  ‘It may take a little time, but—­’

‘Just so.  Did he question you at all about what we were doing?’

’A good deal.  He said he should go and look over the Stores in the Strand.’

’By all means.  He’s a clever man if he distinguishes between Irish butter and English butterine—­I’m sure I couldn’t.  And things really are looking up at the Stores?’

‘Oh, distinctly.’

’By-the-by, I had rather a nasty letter from Lord Mountorry yesterday.  He’s beginning to ask questions:  wants to know when we’re going to conclude our contract with that tenant of his—­I’ve forgotten the fellow’s name.’

’Well, that must be looked into.  There’s perhaps no reason why the contract should not be concluded.  Little by little we may come to justify our name; who knows?  In the meantime, we at all events do a bona fide business.’

‘Strictly so.’

Rodman had a good deal of business on hand besides that which arose from his connection with Irish dairies.  If Alice imagined him strolling at his ease about the fashionable lounges of the town, she was much mistaken.  He worked hard and enjoyed his work, on the sole condition that he was engaged in overreaching someone.  This flattered his humour.