"...My name is Seymour Wilbraham Wentworth. I am brotherin- law and secretary to Sir Charles Vandrift the South African millionaire and famous financier. Many years ago when Charlie Vandrift was a small lawyer in Cape Town I had the (qualified) good fortune to marry his sister. Much later when the Vandriftestate and farm near Kimberley developed by degrees into the Cloetedorp Golcondas Limited my brother-in-law offered me the not unremunerative post of secretary; in which capacity I have ever since been his constant and attached companion. He is not a man whom any common sharper can take in is Charles Vandrift. Middle height square build firm mouth keen eyes the very picture of a sharp and successful business genius. I have only known one rogue impose upon Sir Charles and that one rogue as the Commissary of Police at Nice remarked would doubtless have imposed upon a syndicate of Vidocq RobertHoudin and Cagliostro..."