Terhaps it might be prudent under the circhmstances, Mr. Rodgers, if the votes were counted aloud, thus making sure no inadvertent error is made that might lead the directors to require a second ballot!

Certainly, Mr Kane? 'Does that meet with your approval, Mr. Parfitt?l Peter Parfitt nodded his agreement without looking up.

'lliank you. Perhaps you would be kind enough to read the votes out to the board, Mr. Rodgers.'

The company secretary opened the first voting slip.

Tarfitt.'

And then the second.

Tarfitt,' he repeated.

The game was now out of WflHam!s hands. All the years of waiting for the prize he had told Charles Lester so long ago would be his would be over in the next few seconds.

'Kane. Parfitt. Kane? Three votes to two against him; was he going to meet the same fate as he had in his contest with Tony Simmons? 'Kane. Kane. Parfitt.'

Four votes all. He could see that Parfitt was sweating profusely at the other side of the table and he didn!t exactly feel relaxed himself.

'Parfitt.'

No expression crossed N%rilliam!s face. Parfitt allowed himself a smile.

Five votes to four.

Wane. Kane. Kane.'

Ile smile disappeared.

just two more, two more, pleaded William~ nearly out loud.

'Parfitt. Parfitt? The company secretary took a long time opening a voting slip which someone had folded and refolded several times.

T,ane! Eight votes to seven in William's favour.

The last piece of paper was now being opened. William watched Alfred Rodgers' lips. The company secretary looked up; for that one moment he was the most important man in the room.

',ane.I Parfitt's head sank into his hands.

'Gentlemen, the tally is nine votes for Mr. William Kane, seven votes for Mr. Peter Parfitt. I therefore declare Mr. William Kane to be the duly elected chairman of Lester's Bank.'

A respectful silence fell aver the room and every head except Peter Parfitt's turned towards William and waited for the new chairman's first move.

William exhaled a great rush of air and stood once again, this time to face his board.

'nank you, gentlemen, for the confidence you have placed in iiae. It was Charles Lester's wish that I should be your next chairman and I am delighted you have confirmed that wish with your vote. I now intend to serve this bank to the best of my ability, which I shall be unable to do without the wholehearted support of the board. if Mr. Parfitt would be kind enough...

Peter Parfitt looked up hopefully.

~.. to join me in the chairman's office in a few minutes time, I would be much obliged. After I have seen Mr. Parfitt, I would like - to see Mr.

Leach. I hope, gentlemen, that tomorrow I shall have the opportunity of meeting all of you individually. The next board meeting will be, the monthly one. This meeting is now adjourned!

The directors began to rise and talk among themselves. William walked quickly into the corridor, avoiding Peter Parfitt's stare. Ted Leach caught up with him and directed him to the chairman's office.

'nat was a great risk you took,' said Ted Leach, 'and you only just pulled it off. What - would you have done if you'd lost the vote?'

'Gone back to Boston,' said William, sounding unperturbed.

Ted Leach opened the door to the chairman's office for William. The room was almost exactly as he remembered it; perhaps it had seemed a little larger when, as a prep - school boy, he had told Charles Lester that he would one day run the bank. He stared at the portrait of the great man behind his desk and winked at the late chairmarL Then he sat down in the big red leather chair, and put his elbows on the mahogany desk. As he took a small, leather - bound book out of his jacket pocket and placed it on.the desk in front of him~ there was a knock on the door. An old man entered, leaning heavily on a black stick with a silver handle. Ted Leach left them alone.

'My name is Rupert Cork - Smith,' he said, with a hint of an English accent William rose - to greet him. He was the oldest member of the board. His grey hair, long sideburns and heavy gold watch all came from a past em, but his reputation for probity was legendary in banking circles. No man needed to sign a contract with Rupert Cork - Smith : his w~rd had always been his bond.

He looked William firmly in the eye.

'I voted against you, sir, and naturally you can expect my resignation to be on your desk within the hour.'

'Will you have a seat, sir?'said William gently.

'Thank you, sir,'he replied.

'I think you knew my father and grandfather.'

'I had that privilege. Your grandfather and I were at Harvard together, and I still remember with regret your father's tragic death.'