Stacy briefly related the story of the forgery, and then laid the letter and its copy before him. But Barker only read the forgery.
“How could YOU, Stacy—one of the three partners of Heavy Tree—be deceived! Don't you see it's Phil's handwriting—but it isn't PHIL!”
“But have you any idea WHO it is?” said Stacy.
“Not me,” said Barker, with widely opened eyes. “You see it must be somebody whom we are familiar with. I can't imagine such a scoundrel.”
“How did YOU know that Demorest had stock?” asked Stacy.
“He told me in one of his letters and advised me to go into it. But just then Kitty wanted money, I think, and I didn't go in.”
“I remember it,” struck in Demorest. “But surely it was no secret. My name would be on the transfer books for any one to see.”
“Not so,” said Stacy quickly. “You were one of the original shareholders; there was no transfer, and the books as well as the shares of the company were in my hands.”
“And your clerks?” added Demorest.
Stacy was silent. After a pause he asked, “Did anybody ever see that letter, Barker?”