then under the initials "X. X."; but it had plainly been floated

for the first time into the business at a period of great

depression some six years ago. The name of a distinguished Royal

personage had been mentioned by rumour in connection with this sum.

"The cowardly desperado" - such, I remember, was the editorial

expression - was supposed to have escaped with a large part of this

mysterious fund still in his possession.

I was still brooding over the fact, and trying to torture it into