MR. SMEETH IS REASSURED 99

man who had given this question a great deal of thought.
"You can take it, he is. Though of course it's still my
show—"

"Oh course, Mr. Dersingham,"

"Suppose, by any chance, you disagree violently with
anything he suggests, you'll come to me," said Mr. Der-
singham, looking at that moment like a large pink con-
spirator. "But you needn't tell that to the other people
out there."

"I see what you mean, sir," said Mr. Smeeth, who felt
that he would see in time.

"Mr. Golspie has a good deal to learn, of course/'
Mr. Dersingham continued airily. "He doesn't know
the trade, and he doesn't know the City. But—he seems
to have knocked up and down all over the place in his
time, and he's got ideas, y'know, and colossal push.
Rum sort of chap, I must say." Then he became busi-
nesslike again. "Now look here, Smeeth, I want to push
off as soon as I can because I want that money—or some
of it—into the bank by to-morrow afternoon. Ask Miss
Matfield to hurry up with those letters so that I can sign
'em. And just see those circulars get away to-night, will
you?"

"I will, Mr. Dersingham." And Mr. Smeeth turned
away, but stopped before he reached the door. "And
if you don't mind me saying so, sir, I'm very pleased
things are looking up like this. I was beginning to feel
worried, very worried, sir."

"Thanks, Smeeth! Good man!" You could not mis-
take the Old Worrelian now. "Things will be hum-
ming here soon, you'll see. Colossal luck, of course, his
turning up like this! Oh, by the way, he's probably
coming in soon."