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"Let me finish, Lloyd; I will save you, but no in that way. I
don't need to buy mines; I can keep my capital moving in a
commercial centre like London without that; but here is what I'll do. I
know all about that mine, of course; I know its immense value, and
can swear to it if anybody wishes it. You shall sell out within the
fortnight for three millions each, using my name freely, and we'll
divide, fifty-fifty."
He became joyful and happy and said:
"I may use your name! Your name — think of it! Man, these
rich Londoners will fight for that stock! I'm saved, and I'll never
forget you as long as I live!"
In less than twenty-four hours everybody talked about the
stocks. I had nothing to do, day after day, but sit at home, and say to
all comers:
"Yes, I told him to refer to me. I know the man; I know the
mine. He is above reproach, and the mine is worth far more than he
asks for it."
All my evenings I spent with Portia. I didn't say a word to her
about the mine; I saved it for a surprise. We talked about salary;
never anything but salary and love; sometimes love, sometimes
salary, sometimes love and salary together.
When the month finished, I had a million dollars on my account
in the London Bank, and Hastings was fixed in the same way.
When we came to the house of the two gentlemen, they were
surprised to see that wonderful creature with me, but I said:
"It's all right, gentlemen; she is my future helpmate".
They asked us to sit down, and were very polite to me and her.
Then I said:
"Gentlemen, I am ready to report".
"We are glad to hear it," said my man, "for now we can decide
the bet which my brother Abel and I made. If you have won for me,
you shall have any job in my power to give you. Have you the
million-pound note?"
"Here it is, sir," and I handed it to him.
"I've won!" he shouted, and slapped Abel on the back. "Now
what do you say, brother?"
"I say he did survive, and I've lost twenty thousand pounds. I
never would have believed it".