"A great many sharp practices are considered legitimate nowadays." "I object, also, to the term 'sharp practices'," responded Loring warmly.

"I don't believe there's a man in New York with a straighter and cleaner record than Gamble's.

Every man with whom he has ever done business, except possibly yourself, speaks highly of him and would trust him to any extent; and he does not owe a dollar in the world." "Doesn't he ?" snarled Gresham.

"There's an unsatisfied attachment for fifteen thousand dollars resting against him at the Fourth National Bank at this very moment." Loring's indignation gave way immediately to grave concern.
"So that's why Close was trying to get him on the 'phone all afternoon!" he mused.
"Mr.Gresham," called Polly sharply, "how do you come to know about this so quickly ?" Gresham cursed himself and the blind hatred which had led him into making this slip; and he was the more uncomfortable because not only Loring and Polly but Constance had turned upon him gravely questioning eyes.
"Such things travel very rapidly in commercial circles," he lamely explained.
"I had no idea that you were a commercial circle," retorted Polly.

"I wonder who's crooked." Gresham laughed shortly.