"I began as a boy in the company and ultimately worked myself up as it grew, until I became treasurer.

To cut it short, I have used funds belonging to the company, lost them.

I don't need to tell you how a treasurer or a cashier can do that." Constance was actually startled.

Was he what he represented himself to be?
Or was he leading her on in this way to a confession of her own part, which she had covered so well, in the forgeries of her dead husband?
"How did you begin ?" she asked tentatively.
"A few years ago," he answered with a disconcerting lack of reserve, "the company found that we could beat our competitors by a very simple means.

The largest stockholder, Mr.Dumont, was friendly with some of the customs officials and--well, we undervalued our goods.