"I don't see how there can be two explanations," said the Major, "not
two true ones. But of course they're neither of them that."

"They're both quite true," said Dr. O'Grady, "but they're different,
of course, because you and Doyle look at everything from such different
points of view. Now do trot along, Major, and don't interrupt me any
more. That American may be back at any moment. I don't believe Gallagher
will be able to keep him in play for very long."

He took Major Kent by the shoulders as he spoke and pushed him some
little way along the street. Then he returned to Doyle.

"Now then, Doyle," he said, "you've done pretty well over that filly.
Strictly speaking, you owe me L7 10s. But I'm not going to say a word
about that."

"Seeing that you owe me L60," said Doyle, "it'll maybe be as well for
you not."

"What I do want to talk about," said Dr. O'Grady, "is General John
Regan."

"If you tell me who he was," said Doyle, "I'll be content."

"I don't see that it matters in the least to you who he was. Look here
now, Doyle. You're a business man, and among other things you sell
whisky. Now suppose someone was to walk into your hotel and tell you to
forward ten dozen bottles of whisky--the best you had--to his aunt,
and supposing that he told his aunt's name was Regan, would you go
questioning and cross-questioning every man you met as to whether there
really was an old lady called Miss Regan at the address he gave you?"

"I would not," said Doyle. "So long as I got my money I wouldn't care
whether the fellow ever had an aunt, or what sort of a name there might
be to her if he had."

"Well, this is exactly the same sort of case. Here's a man who wants a
statue for a dead General, and is perfectly willing to pay for it.
Why should you bother your head about who the statue is supposed to
represent? L100 is L100, I suppose, even if there never was a Regan in
the world; and there have been, plenty of them."

"I see that," said Doyle. "I see that, now you put it to me. And I don't
deny but there's a lot in what you say. But what I don't see is this:
I'd make something out of the whisky for the gentleman's aunt, but I
don't understand how I'm to make a penny out of the statue."

"You'll be treasurer of the fund," said Dr. O'Grady, "and I needn't tell
you that in all these cases the treasurer--well, there might be a little
balance in hand at the end. There often is. Nobody ever inquires about
those balances