boiling point by this harmless method of examination, Claude tackled the real business in hand. He was quite sure that a financial sharper in a temper was far more likely to blurt out the truth than if he were approached in a matter-of-fact manner.
"To begin with," he explained, never taking his eyes off the furious face of Mr. Dodge, "I have called to ask for information with regard to your dealings with Mr. Sydney H. Corbett, of Raleigh Mansions, Sloane Square."
"I never heard of him in my life. You have evidently come to the wrong office, Mr. Bruce."
"Are you quite sure?"
"Well, nearly so. However, I can tell you in a moment, as it is impossible for me to carry every name connected with several companies in my memory."
Mr. Dodge recovered his temper now that he saw a chance of disconcerting his caustic visitor. He touched an electric bell, and told the answering youth to send Mr. Hawkins.
"My correspondence clerk," he explained loftily when Hawkins entered. "Are we in communication with any one named Sydney H. Corbett, Mr. Hawkins?"
"No, sir."
"Have you ever heard the name?"
"No, sir."
"That will do. You may go. You see you have come to the wrong shop, Mr. Bruce."
"Yes, so I see."
The barrister kept looking at the back of Mr. Dodge's head, but made no move.
Mr. Dodge became puzzled.
"Now, Mr. Bruce," he cried, "you know the age of my son, and the extent of my information about Mr. Corbett. Is there anything else in which I may be of service?"
"Yes. You do a great deal of underwriting, mostly for the flotation of gold-mining companies?"
"Y--yes. That is a branch of our business."
"I am interested in this class of undertaking, and I was given to understand that Mr. Corbett has had some dealings with you in a similar respect for a considerable sum of money."
"The name is absolutely unknown to me."
"Of course. So I gather. I am sorry to hear it. Several clients of mine have money to invest in that way, and I naturally came to a firm whose name apparently figured largely in the transactions of Mr. Corbett."
It was good to see the manner in which Mr. Dodge metaphorically kicked himself for his previous attitude. His emotion was painful. For quite an appreciable time he could not trust his sentiments to words.
At last he struggled to express himself.
"Really, Mr. Bruce, if you had only put things differently. Don't you see, it rather upset me when you came in and began jawing about the youngsters. And then you spring Mr. Corbett's name on me--a man of whom I have no sort of knowledge. It must have been my firm of which your friends heard. There is absolutely no other Dodge in Leadenhall Street. Indeed, we are the only financial Dodges--that is--er--Messrs. Dodge, 

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