"But as you say, it is L10,000 more to get back, and I should not have told him, were not certain ledgers of earlier years so extremely, extremely unmistakable on the subject." "But if he is not going to look at ledgers at all--" began Mills.
"Ah, the concealment of that sort of thing is one of the risks which it is not worth while to take," said the other, dropping for a moment the deferential attitude.
Mills was silent again.

Then: "Have you bought that option in Boston Coppers," he asked.
"Yes; I bought to-day." Mills glanced at the clock as Mr.Taynton rose to go.
"Still only a quarter to twelve," he said.

"If you have time, you might give me a detailed statement.

I hardly know what you have done.

It won't take a couple of minutes." Mr.Taynton glanced at the clock likewise, and then put down his hat again.
"I can just spare the time," he said, "but I must get home by twelve; I have unfortunately come out without my latchkey, and I do not like keeping the servants up." He pressed his fingers over his eyes a moment and then spoke.
* * * * * Ten minutes later he was in the bird-cage of the lift again, and by twelve he had been admitted into his own house, apologising most amiably to his servant for having kept him up.