Being of a practical turn of mind, however, and not hampered by much faith in mankind, even in the most eminent, who write the mysterious capital letters after their names, he wondered to what extent Van Torp owned Sir Jasper, and he went to see him on pretence of asking advice about his liver.
The great man gave him two guineas' worth of thumping, auscultating, and poking in the ribs, and told him rather disagreeably that he was as healthy as a young crocodile, and had a somewhat similar constitution.

A partner of Mr.Van Torp, the American financier?
Indeed! Sir Jasper had heard the name but had never seen the millionaire, and asked politely whether he sometimes came to England.
It is not untruthful to ask a question to which one knows the answer.
Mr.Bamberger himself, for instance, who knew that he was perfectly well, was just going to put down two guineas for having been told so, in answer to a question.
'I believe you are treating Mr.Feist,' he said, going more directly to the point.
'Mr.Feist ?' repeated the great authority vaguely.
'Yes.

Mr.Charles Feist.

He's at Dr.Bream's private hospital in West Kensington.' 'Ah, yes,' said Sir Jasper.

'Dr.Bream is treating him.