"Your transactions with Sir Gilbert have been quite in order, all through, I suppose--and quite ordinary ?" "Quite in order, and quite ordinary," answered the stockbroker readily.
"He was sent to me by the manager of the Scottish-American Bank, who knows that I do a considerable business in first-class American securities and investments.

Sir Gilbert told me that he was disposing of a great deal of his property in England and wished to re-invest the proceeds in American stock.

He gave me to understand that he wished to spend most of his time over there in future, as neither he nor his wife cared about Hathercleugh, though they meant to keep it up as the family estate and headquarters.

He placed considerable sums of money in my hands from time to time, and I invested them in accordance with his instructions, handing him the securities as each transaction was concluded.

And--that's really all I know." Mr.Lindsey got in his word before Mr.Portlethorpe could speak again.
"There are just two questions I should like to ask--to which nobody can take exception, I think," he said.