“I insisted. He gratefully yielded. We drew up the document in duplicate. He was especially gratified to find that I had left the whole direction to him. ‘I know nothing of such things,’ I said. ‘I am only the Business Man. You are the Creator, the Artist: I am but the base mercantile instrument, and I shall be proud to share in your triumph.’ As I said this I put into my eyes the expression of inspired admiration which we of the commercial world very properly assume when we are dealing with this kind of fodder.
“The next morning, in the cool, before the sun had power, our deeds were attested. I warned him to be utterly silent upon the source of this capital. I said I would be responsible for a rumour that a small saving of his own was engaged. He saw my point, and, though still scrupulous, consented. The work went forward.
“My next step I had already planned. I had privately set aside for it a fixed sum, the equal of what I had given my partner. I hired a pleasant little house and garden in the city, with a fountain of clear water in its shaded court. I purchased a stock of good clothes and even one or two not over-violent jewels--and I began to entertain.
“I bought--at a price which gave me pause--a really wonderful cook; I learnt the games of hazard to which the wealthier of the place were devoted. The headmen of the various quarters of the city, the principal councillors and magistrates learned one from another of the excellence of my table and the interest of my play. I became their intimate. From time to time I spoke of my friendship with the Enthusiast and of my regret at his wasting his poor savings upon the dreadful mess outside the walls. They agreed--and all the while that fervid young man redoubled his ardour, himself worked side by side with his men, planned, urged them on, and effected prodigies of labour. Indeed, I feared for his health--a natural anxiety for one in my situation--but by the Mercy of Allah it remained perfect.
“He now, however, came to me more and more frequently and in a greater and greater anxiety. There were but fifty gold pieces remaining, but forty, but twenty!... It was a matter of a few days!... Already he had had to keep back wages, to devise half-shifts, even to discharge men!... Could I not, oh! could I not raise some further sum?... As he had said, the work needed another month at least, and its present state was appalling, no visible security for a loan, all mud and confusion!... I could only reply that I would do my best, but that I was not sanguine, and my long face increased his fears.