Page:Robert Barr - Lord Stranleigh Philanthropist.djvu/294

 "I answer in the affirmative, of course, and without hesitation."

"Now, Peter, I put the same question to you, and I caution you as I did Corbitt, for if you also do not answer in the affirmative I had no right to give you that hundred and fifty thousand pounds last July."

"I say yes," replied Peter promptly.

"Let us thank the gods of peace that we have discovered one small platform on which you two men can stand together. Now I want a little more information about your bank, Peter. Do you own the majority of its stock?"

"No."

"Who does?"

"No one person. It has been taken up by various capitalists in the City."

"They must have felt a rather supreme confidence in your business qualities."

"I suppose so."

"Did you never set afoot any enquiries regarding the ownership of your bank?"

"I didn't need to. I got the cash, and that was the main thing."

"H-m! Perhaps. Still, if you'd troubled yourself to trace those sales of stocky the tracing would