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THE FOUR PHILANTHROPISTS
115

night. We dressed and dined at the Savoy, since Chelubai insisted on celebrating the receipt of the Company's first check in a befitting fashion.

I was in the highest spirits; my head was teeming with the details of the enlargement of the Children's Hospital. Angel and Bottiger had been cheered and brightened by the visit to the country, but Chelubai seemed depressed.

I asked him what ailed him, and he said heavily, "It's the thickness of that rascal Pudleigh's head."

"Never mind," I said, "you gave him a bad time, I'm sure. He didn't enjoy his stay in the hospital, and he was prevented stealing £8,000."

"I do like thorough conscientionsness in work," said Chelubai monrnfnlly. "And it isn't only that, but we have failed to benefit Humanity. He is still alive to pursue his nefarious career."

"But you've benefited Humanity to the tune of over four thousand pounds! You've no idea what a help this will be in Stepney, none whatever," I said vehemently.

"I only look on that as a by-product of our real work. Our true mission is to benefit Humanity by removing its enemies," said Chelubai, uncomforted. "We ought to have put him out of harm's way."

"It is a pity that horrible man's alive to go on swindling people," said Angel sadly.