"Your grounds for thinking that?"
"I considered your reputation in the district."
"Any other reason?"
"One or two builders and masons had spoken to me on the subject."
Carlton found a new place in his pocket-book, and read out a list of nine names.
"Were any of these local men among the number?"
"Yes."
"All of them?"
"Ye—es."
"What! You admit having discussed me, during the present month, and since I first spoke to you about rebuilding the church, with these nine local builders or stonemasons?"