Page:Barr--Stranleighs millions.djvu/255

Rh "He told me he had chartered it, but I learn from the captain that it is his own, acquired from one of his victims. Still, Lord Stranleigh, all that Isaacstein wanted was the use of your name for a day. He himself was going to write to the newspapers, informing them that you had nothing to do with the company. He assured me that not only would nobody lose money, but that all investors would receive at least a hundred per cent. in profits the first year."

"And you believed that, Jack? Well, you are a simpleton. It is quite true that nobody is going to lose any money, but that is not Isaacstein's fault. The company was brought out yesterday with a great flourish of trumpets, and full-page advertisements in the papers, but it was smashed by Mackeller before noon; and through the prompt action of the police all the letters were intercepted, while Isaacstein's accomplices were arrested at the office of the company. Isaacstein fled on the two o'clock express from Victoria, and at six o'clock last night was arrested in Boulogne by the French police."

"Good God! How do you know all this? Or are you just romancing?"

"Now, what I want to warn you about, Jack, is this. The police, in searching Isaacstein's office, have come upon a number of documents signed by you. Did you write anything that connects you with this fraudulent company?"