"About eight or nine years."
"Have you any idea why he should have shot himself?"
"None at all, Inspector. It was a great shock. He had been making more money than most of us. When we were with him last night, he was in very high spirits — his family was on the way home, and he was always happy when he was looking forward to seeing them again."
"Did you ever lose money in any of his companies?"
"No."
"You know that we can investigate that?"
Costello smiled slightly.
"I don't know why you should take that attitude, Inspector, but my affairs are open to any examination."
"Have you been making money yourself lately?"
"No. As a matter of fact, I've lost a bit," said Costello frankly. "I'm interested in International Cotton, you know."