'As to your future plans?' asked the reporter. 'You mean to go back,
I presume.'

'No; London for me, if I can find a corner in it. I hold concessions
in Matanga.'

'The land needs development, of course.'

'Machinery too; capital most of all.'

At the bookstall upon the platform Drake bought a copy of the _Times_,
and whilst taking his change he was attracted by a grayish-green volume
prominently displayed upon the white newspapers. The sobriety of the
binding caught his fancy. He picked it up, and read the gold-lettered
title on the back--_A Man of Influence_. The stall-keeper recommended the
novel; he had read it himself; besides, it was having a sale. Drake
turned to the title-page and glanced at the author's name--Sidney
Mallinson. He flashed into enthusiasm.

'Selling, eh?'

'Very well indeed.'

'Has it been published long?'

'Less than three months.'

'I will take it, and everything else by the same author.'

'It is his first book.'