"And on friendly terms with him?"
"Yes."
"Why did he not open the street door for you?"
"He had been instructed not to admit anyone during my father's absence."
"Not even to go down to the door to see who it was who sought entrance?"
"Not even that. He was ordered not to stir out of the office."
"Was your father a very strict man?"
"Very strict."
"Had you a definite object in view when you paid the visit, apart from the natural desire to see him?"
"I had. My circumstances were not good, and I went to see if I could not improve them. My mother had left me a small fortune, and had appointed a trustee to administer it. This trustee had given me to understand that when I was of age I should come into possession of £8,000. I spent my youth and early manhood abroad, and when I returned home my trustee was dead, and my father had the disposition of my inheritance. He wished me to join him in his business, but I had a distaste for it, and we had many arguments and discussions on the subject."