Wot you doing for the next half-hour or so?
I'm in a deuce of a dilemma and you've got to help me out of it." The Englishman looked at his watch and fumbled it nervously as he replaced it in his upper coat pocket.

"That's a good fellow, Brock.

You _will_ be the ever present help in time of trouble, won't you ?" "My letter of credit is at your disposal, old man," said Brock promptly.
He meant it.

It readily may be seen from this that their friendship is no small item to be considered in the development of this tale.
"My dear fellow, that's the very thing I'm eager to thrust upon you--my letter of credit," exclaimed the other.
"What's that ?" demanded Brock.
"I say, Brock, can't we go up to your rooms?
Dead secret, you know.
Really, old chap, I mean it.

No one must get a breath of it.