"Then his capital is your capital."
"Well;—I can't explain it, but it is not so."
"What is the name of your firm?"
"We haven't a registered name."
"Have you a place of business?"
"Parker has a place of business in Little Tankard Yard."
Mr. Wharton turned to a directory and found out Parker's name. "Mr. Parker is a stockbroker. Are you also a stockbroker?"
"No,—I am not."
"Then, sir, it seems to me that you are a commercial adventurer."
"I am not at all ashamed of the name, Mr. Wharton. According to your manner of reckoning, half the business in the City of London is done by commercial adventurers. I watch the markets and buy goods,—and sell them at a profit. Mr. Parker is a moneyed man, who happens also to be a stockbroker. We can very easily call ourselves merchants, and put up the names of Lopez and Parker over the door."