For some considerable time past we have had our suspicions that our manager at the mines has been in league with a notorious rascal in New York.

In proof of this, I might say that our returns have shown a decided falling off, while our manager has, so we have lately discovered, within the past year become rich enough to purchase property to a considerable extent in the United States.
Unfortunately for us, owing to a lack of direct evidence, we are unable to bring his defalcations home to him, though of course we are as certain of our facts as we can well be of anything." "I think I understand," I said.

"Your business with me is to endeavour to induce me to go out to the Argentine and make inquiries on your behalf with the idea of bringing this man to book.

Is that not so ?" "That is my errand," he replied gravely.

"If you care to undertake the task, we, on our side--and I speak as the mouthpiece of the Company--will be prepared to pay you very high terms for your services; in point of fact, almost what you may ask in reason.