t
you did not trouble to inquire."

"Oh, of course, I inquired, naturally I inquired, Mr. McNorton," said
White eagerly, "it was for some chemical process and I know nothing
about chemistry. I don't mind admitting to you," he lowered his voice,
though there was no necessity, "that I regret my investment very much.
We business men have many calls. We cannot allow our money to be tied up
for too long a time, and it happens--ah--that just at this moment I
should be very glad, very glad indeed, to liquidate that investment."

McNorton nodded. He knew a great deal more about White's financial
embarrassments than that gentleman gave him credit for. He knew, for
example, that the immaculate managing director of Punsonby's was in the
hands of moneylenders, and that those moneylenders were squeezing him.
He suspected that all was not well with Punsonby's. There had been
curious rumours in the City amongst the bill discounters that Punsonby's
"paper" left much to be desired.

"Do you know the nationality of van Heerden?" he asked.

"Dutch," replied Mr. White promptly.

"Are you sure of this?"

"I would stake my life on it," answered the heroic Mr. White.

"As I came through to your office I saw a young lady at the cashier's
desk--Miss Glaum, I think her name is. Is she Dutch, too?"

"Miss Glaum--ah--well Miss Glaum." White hesitated. "A very nice,
industrious girl, and a friend of Doctor van Heerden's. As a matter of
fact, I engaged her at his recommendation. You see, I was under an
obligation to the doctor. He had--ah--attended me in my illness."

That this was untrue McNorton knew. White was one of those financial
shuttlecocks which shrewd moneylenders toss from one to the other. White
had been introduced by van Heerden to capital in a moment of hectic
despair and had responded when his financial horizon was clearer by
pledging his credit for the furtherance of van Heerden's scheme.

"Of course you know that as a shareholder in van Heerden's syndicate you
cannot escape responsibility for the purposes to which your money is
put," he said, as he rose to go. "I hope you get your money back."

"Do you think there is any doubt?" demanded White, in consternation.

"There is always a doubt about getting money back from syndicates," said
McNorton cryptically.

"Please don't go yet." Mr. White passed round the end of his desk and
intercepted the detective with unexpected agility, taking, so to speak,
the door out of his h