Page:Bailey - Call Mr Fortune (Dutton, 1921).djvu/213

202 more sleep over it than I want to think about." He became aware that Reggie was studying him. "Doctor, aren't you?" he laughed ruefully. "I'm not a case, you know."

"I apologize for the professional instinct," Reggie said. "But it does make me say you ought to see your doctor, sir."

"My doctor can't tell me anything I don't know. It's this scandal that's the matter with me. You wouldn't say I was sentimental, would you? You wouldn't take me for an innocent? Well, do you know, I've been in business thirty years, and I've never had one of my own people break faith with me. That's what irritates me. Somebody in my own office, somebody close to me, selling me. By God, it's maddening!"

"Whom do you suspect?" said Reggie. Kimball flung himself about, and the chair creaked. "Damn it, man, we've had all that out over and over again. I can't suspect any one. I won't suspect any one. But the thing's been done."

"As I understand, the only people who knew the scheme were yourself and Sandford, your secretary?"

"I'd as soon suspect myself as Sandford."

"Yesterday three thousand pounds in notes was paid by somebody, who didn't give his name, into Sandford's account," said Lomas.

"Great God!" said Kimball, and rolled back in