“With my young friend here,” he said, patting Tom affectionately on the shoulder, “and my own boy Ezra, both working together, there will be young blood and life in the concern.  They’ll bring the energy, and when they want advice they can come to the old man for it.  I intend in a year or so, when the new arrangement works smoothly, to have a run over to Palestine.  It may seem a weakness to you, but all my life I have hoped some day to stand upon that holy ground, and to look down on those scenes which we have all imagined to ourselves.  Your son will start with a good position and a fair income, which he will probably double before he is five years older.  The money invested by him is simply to ensure that he shall have a substantial interest in promoting the affairs of the firm.”  Thus the old man ran on, and when Tom and his father left the office with the sound of great sums of money, and huge profits, and heavy balances, and safe investments, all jostling each other in their brains, they had both made up their minds as to the future.

Hence in a couple of days there was a stir in the legal house of Jones, Morgan, & Co., with much rustling of parchment, and signing of names, and drinking of inferior sherry.  The result of all which was that the firm of Girdlestone & Co. were seven thousand pounds the richer, and Thomas Dimsdale found himself a recognized member of a great commercial house with all the rights and privileges appertaining thereto.

“A good day’s work, Tom,” said the old doctor, as they left the lawyer’s office together.  “You have now taken an irrevocable step in life, my boy.  The world is before you.  You belong to a first-class firm and you have every chance.  May you thrive and prosper.”

“If I don’t it won’t be my fault,” Tom answered with decision.  “I shall work with my whole heart and soul.”

“A good day’s work, Ezra,” the African merchant was remarking at that very moment in Fenchurch Street.  “The firm is pinched again for working expenses.  This will help;” and he threw a little slip of green paper across the table to his son.

“It will help us for a time,” Ezra said, gloomily, glancing at the figures.  “It was fortunate that I was able to put you on his track.  It is only a drop in the ocean, however.  Unless this diamond spec. comes off, nothing can save us.”

“But it shall come off,” his father answered resolutely.  He had succeeded in obtaining an agent who appeared to be almost as well fitted for the post as the recalcitrant major.  This worthy had started off already for Russia, where the scene of his operations was to lie.

“I hope so,” said Ezra.  “We have neglected no precaution.  Langworthy should be at Tobolsk by this time.  I saw that he had a bag of rough stones with him which would do well enough for his purpose.”

“We have your money ready, too.  I can rely upon rather over thirty thousand pounds.  Our credit was good for that, but I did not wish to push it too far for fear of setting tongues wagging.”