214 THE WOODLANDS ORCHIDS 



one may conclude that they have relatives or intimate friends 

 in the district where those orchids grow ; it will hardly be 

 waste of time anyhow to inquire. A discreet investigation 

 proved that this lady's son was a tea-planter, with large 

 estates on the confines of Bhutan. With the address in his 

 pocket Mr. Forstermann, a collector of renown, started by 

 next mail. 



Orchids must be classed with ferae naturae in which a 

 landowner has no property. But it is not to be supposed that 

 a man of business will tell the casual inquirer where to pick 

 up, on his own estate, weeds worth seventy guineas each. 

 Forstermann did not expect it. Leaving his baggage at the 

 dak bungalow, he strolled afoot to the large and handsome 

 mansion indicated. Mr. Spicer was sitting in the verandah, 

 and in the pleasant, easy way usual with men who very 

 rarely see a white stranger of respectable appearance, he 

 shouted : 



' Are you looking for me, sir } Come up ! ' 



Forstermann went up, took an arm-chair and a cheroot, 

 accepted a comforting glass, and sketched his experiences of 

 the road before declaring even his name. Then he an- 

 nounced himself as an aspirant tea-planter, desirous to gam 

 some practical knowledge of the business before risking his 

 very small capita). In short, could Mr. Spicer give him a 

 'job'? 



' I'm afraid not,' said Mr. Spicer. ' We have quite as 

 many men in your position as we can find work for. But 

 anyhow you can look round and talk to our people and see 

 whether the life is likely to suit you. Meantime, you're 

 very welcome to stay here as my guest. If you've brought 

 a gun, my manager will show you some sport ; but he's 

 away just now. Oh, you needn't thank me. In my opinion 

 it's the duty of men who have succeeded to help beginners 

 along, and I'm sorry I can't do more for you.' 



