"It is evident, Mr.Merrick, from your questions, that some of these occurrences seem suspicious to a stranger, and perhaps you are not so much to be blamed as, in my annoyance and indignation, I have imagined." "I would like the matter cleared up for the sake of Ethel and Joe," said Mr.Merrick, simply.
"And so would I," declared the hardware dealer.

"You must know, sir, that Will Thompson was the one who first led Captain Wegg into investing his money.

I think the Captain did it merely to please Will, for at that time he had become so indifferent to worldly affairs that he took no interest in anything beyond a mild wish to provide for his son's future.
But Thompson was erratic in judgment, so Wegg used to bring their matters to me to decide upon.

I always advised them as honestly as I was able.

At the time I secured an option on the Almaquo tract, and wanted them to join me, Will Thompson had found another lot of timber, but located in an out-of-the-way corner, which he urged the Captain to join him in buying.