ced that there is something vitally wrong in this
bank. In the beginning I couldn't tell why. Some men have an instinct
for false figures, a sort of scent for rotten conditions, I suppose.
I'm one of them. I've been working at it for a month. And now I know."

The president laid the paper-cutter gently down again, and Weldon
realised that he must have picked it up. As it touched the polished
desk one half of it was seen to be at the least angle from the other:
it was in two parts.

"And now you know, Mr. Weldon?" he repeated quietly. "You surprise me.
What do you know?"

Weldon smiled approvingly at him. There was stuff in this babbler,
this hypnotist, this phrase-maker.

"I know that one of the cleverest frauds in the history of banking has
been accomplished in this bank, Mr. Deeping, and I know by whom and how
it has been accomplished. I know how Mr. Bingham has been used in the
matter and how ignorant he is of the tool he has been. I know how
completely the directors have been deceived and how ably the books have
been doctored. I know precisely where the discrepancies are and how
great they are."

"You have been very diligent, Mr. Weldon," said the president gently.
"I presume you to have the proofs of all you assert?"

Weldon put his hand into an inner pocket and drew out a slip--a small
slip--of paper.

"You must, of course, have a memorandum by which to check this," he
said a little huskily, but meeting the older man's eyes steadily, "so I
made it as condensed as possible. You will understand it, however, I
am sure."

Without a moment's hesitation the president put out his hand and took
the slip. Weldon touched his thumb and it was like an icicle. For a
brief space he studied the close, tiny figures, then he raised his eyes
from them.

"You are to be congratulated, young man," he said, pausing slightly
between his words, "on the possession of a very keen mind and abilities
far from ordinary. I believe you said you had no assistance in all
this?"

"I did not say so," Weldon replied, "but it is true."

"And no confidants, I infer?"

"Absolutely none."

"It would be idle," said the president, "to assume ignorance of your
motive in obtaining this interview."

Weldon bowed in silence.

"I will merely inquire of you what guaranty I have, in case I arrange
for the purchase of this slip from you, that the terms will be final?"

"Only my word to that effect," said Weldon composedly, "whi