CHAPTER XXVII.
THE BANK BALANCE It was now Mr.Portlethorpe and I who looked at each other--with a mutual questioning.

What was Mr.Lindsey hinting, suggesting?
And Mr.
Portlethorpe suddenly turned on him with a direct inquiry.
"What is it you are after, Lindsey ?" he asked.

"There's something in your mind." "A lot," answered Mr.Lindsey.

"And before I let it out, I think we'd better fully inform Mrs.Ralston of everything that's happened, and of how things stand, up to and including this moment.

This is the position, Mrs.Ralston, and the facts"-- and he went on to give his caller a brief but complete summary of all that he and Mr.Portlethorpe had just talked over.