He cared not who suffered loss, so he was the gainer.
There were other miners at work sapping the foundations of Jasper's fortune, besides this less concealed operator.

Parker, the young man who succeeded to the place of Claire, and who was afterward raised to the condition of partner, with a limited interest, was far from being satisfied with his dividend in the business.

The great bulk of Jasper's means were used in outside speculations; and as the result of these became successively known to Parker, his thoughts began to run in a new channel.

"If I only had money to go into this," and, "If I only had money to go into that," were words frequently on his tongue.
He regarded himself as exceedingly shrewd; and confidently believed that, if he had capital to work with, he could soon amass an independent fortune.
"Money makes money," was his favourite motto.
Unscrupulous as his partner, it is not surprising that Parker, ere long, felt himself perfectly authorized to use the credit of the house in private schemes of profit.

To do this safely, it was necessary to have a friend outside of the firm.