Adrien Leroy."
Lord Barminster started as if to speak, but Mr. Harker continued:
"Fortunately, I am able to avert this, because I have brought the forged
bills with me; and I will explain all fully, if your lordship will hear
me through. It will take some little time, but I ask your patience."
Lord Barminster nodded and said quietly:
"Go on."
With a dry cough, Mr. Harker opened the little black bag he invariably
carried with him, and drew from it a roll of papers. With slow
precision, the old man unfastened it and looked across at his listeners.
"Five years ago," he commenced, "my master--for, as I said before, I was
merely a servant, a machine, acting under instructions--ordered me to
buy up any bills bearing your son's name. Furthermore, I was to lend the
money to any amount within my master's credit to those who brought his
name as guarantee. I did so, and every bill and liability which was
contracted either in his own name or in yours, my lord, by Mr. Leroy,
fell into the hands of this man, who carried on the business under cover
of my name. He posed as the friend of Mr. Leroy, and by means of
forgeries, and cooked accounts, he has managed to acquire control of
your entire revenue.
Pages:
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300