Page:Robert Barr - Lord Stranleigh Philanthropist.djvu/101

 knew he had done wrong, but in this again he was disappointed. The factor wore an air of bravado, not to say truculence and defiance.

"My wife says you want to see me. What for?"

"Oh, merely a little matter of curiosity on my part, Wilson," replied Stranleigh, with nonchalance. "Whose money did you steal? Barnacle's or mine?"

"That's a stupid question to ask," commented Wilson.

"You deny the theft, then?"

"I wasn't thinking of the theft; I was thinking of the question. Nobody but an ass would put it."

"Why?"

"Because Barnacle ventured three thousand pounds while you risked five thousand, therefore, as I couldn't steal both sums, I naturally secured the larger. Any fool could have told you that."

"I see. Then I'm the victim?"

"Certainly."

"Well, for cool cheek, I think that beats the record!"

"No; it is only your muddle-headedness that beats the record. With the complacency of a conceited, selfish simpleton, you force a business man like myself into an impossible position. After things