Mr.Belcher was quite at his ease, and entered at once upon a narrative of his visit.

He had supposed that the excitement was without any good foundation, but the oil was really there; and he did not see why the business was not as legitimate and sound as any in the world.
The whole world needed the oil, and this was the one locality which produced it.

There was undoubtedly more or less of wild speculation connected with it, and, considering the value of the discoveries, it was not to be wondered at.

On the whole, it was the biggest thing that had turned up during his lifetime.
Constantly leading them away from the topic of investment, he regaled their ears with the stories of the enormous fortunes that had been made, until there was not a man before him who was not ready to invest half the fortune he possessed in the speculation.

Finally, one of the more frank and impatient of the group informed Mr.Belcher that they had come prepared to invest, if they found his report favorable.
"Gentlemen," said Mr.Belcher, "I really cannot take the responsibility of advising you.