speculation when this man Collaton came to him with an enormous
irrigation scheme. They formed a partnership. Collaton went out West
to superintend the reclaiming of some thousands of acres of arid
land, while Johnny stayed here to sell rose-bordered farms to
romantic city home seekers. Collaton spent money faster than Johnny
could get it, and operations had to be discontinued. Johnny has been
paying the debts of the concern ever since. Every time he thinks he
has them cleared off, a new set bobs up; and, since the books and
all the papers are lost, he can't prove or disprove anything. Johnny
can't even dissolve the partnership so long as there are indefinite
outstanding accounts. Now, Constance, I'm not a good lawyer or I
would not, even in strict confidence like this, say the following,
to wit and namely: I think Collaton is a plain ordinary sneak-
thief."

They were both silent for a little time.

"Doesn't it seem rather strange that the people who hold claims
against Mr. Gamble should just happen to attach his bank-account on
the very day he was expected to make a deposit, and for the
identical amount?" Constance asked in a puzzled way.

Loring gave her a startled glance.

"It does seem strange," he admitted.

"It would almost seem as if these people had been informed by some
one who knew Mr. Gamble's circumstances quite intimately," she went
on.