Tauchnitz looked as though a thunderbolt had suddenly fallen at his feet, and Danevitch had to repeat his question. The answer was an emphatic, ‘No. Certainly not. I believe that Ferguson was absolutely incapable of anything of the kind.’
‘You had the most perfect faith in him as a business man?’
‘Indeed I had.’
‘His business integrity was above suspicion?’
‘Undoubtedly.’
‘He concealed nothing from you you were entitled to know?’
‘I have no hesitation in saying he did not.’
‘Nevertheless, he was regarded as a reticent man.’
‘About his own affairs he certainly was reticent.’
‘Now, if I were to suggest he had been guilty of some dishonourable action, what would you say?’