Isaacstein on this occasion looked and acted the sound man of business he really was.
He awaited Philip in his private office. He seemed to be pleased by the change effected in the boy's outward appearance. There was less of burlesque, less outrage to his feelings, in discussing big sums of money with a person properly attired than with one who wore the garments of a tramp.
"Good-morning," he said, pleasantly. "You are punctual, I am glad to see. Have you been to Somerset House?"
"Why not? If you are going to control a big capital, you must learn business habits or you will lose it, no matter how large it may be."
"Would Somerset House compel you to pay me, Mr. Isaacstein?"
"Not exactly, but the stamping of important documents is a means toward an end, I assure you."
"I will see to it, but I wanted primarily to be certain of one of two things: First, will you pay the five thousand pounds as promised? Second, will you give me a fresh purchase note for my diamonds which will not indicate so definitely that I am the boy concerning whom there has been so much needless publicity during the last few days?"
It was of no avail for Isaacstein to bandy words with Philip. A boy of fifteen who casually introduced such a word as "primarily" into a sentence, and gave a shrewd thrust about "needless publicity" to the person responsible for it, was not to be browbeaten, even in business affairs.
"Am I to make out a check for five thousand pounds to 'Philip'?" he asked.
"Thank you; and now, shall I put any address on the contract note which I will hand you?"
Isaacstein with difficulty choked back a comment. The Pall Mall Hotel was the most expensive establishment in London. He tossed the check and another document across the table.
"There you are," he said. "Come with me to my bank. You will excuse the hurry. I have a lot to do before I leave for Amsterdam to-night."
Philip saw that the acknowledgment of his diamonds appeared to be in proper form.
"There is no need at this moment to explain to the bank manager that I am the hero of the police court affair?" he said.
"None whatever. I am lending you the money, and will be paying you a good deal more very soon. That will be sufficient. He may draw his own conclusions, of course."