That a man should refuse L17,000 for a bit of African gold worth L100 or so, struck him as miraculous.

But Sir Robert did not seem in the least surprised, only very disappointed.
"I quite understand your dislike to selling," he said.

"Thank you for leaving it here for the present to see us through the flotation," and he laughed.
At that moment Jeffreys entered the room with the documents.

Sir Robert handed the deed of partnership to Alan, and when he had identified it, took it from him again and threw it on the fire, saying that of course the formal letter of release would be posted and the dissolution notified in the _Gazette_.

Then the transfer was signed and the cheque delivered.
"Well, good-bye till Saturday," said Alan when he had received the latter, and nodding to them both, he turned and left the room.
The passage ran past the little room in which Mr.Jeffreys, the head clerk, sat alone.