Mrs.
Ralston supported that; and when Mr.Portlethorpe remarked that we were going too fast, and were working up all the elements of a fine scandal, she tartly remarked that if more care had been taken at the beginning, all this would not have happened.
We found the bank manager at his private house, outside Newcastle, that evening.

He knew both my companions personally, and he listened with great attention to all that Mr.Lindsey, as spokesman, had to tell; he also heard my story of the yacht affair.

He was an astute, elderly man, evidently quick at sizing things up, and I knew by the way he turned to Mr.Portlethorpe and by the glance he gave him, after hearing everything, that his conclusions were those of Mr.Lindsey and Mrs.Ralston.
"I'm afraid there's something wrong, Portlethorpe," he remarked quietly.
"The truth is, I've had suspicions myself lately." "Good God! you don't mean it!" exclaimed Mr.Portlethorpe.

"How, then ?" "Since Sir Gilbert began selling property," continued the bank manager, "very large sums have been paid in to his credit at our bank, where, previous to that, he already had a very considerable balance.

But at the present moment we hold very little--that is, comparatively little--money of his." "What ?" said Mr.Portlethorpe.