"I am, and to assist me in doing so I wish to question you."
"By all means," replied Leighbourne graciously. "I am most anxious that the scoundrel should be caught and punished. He killed a good man."
"Ah! Do you consider that the late Mr. Grent was a good man, sir?"
"Most certainly; an excellent and upright gentleman."
"Had he no faults?"
"We all have faults," said Leighbourne enigmatically. "But are these the questions you wish to put to me?"
"Some of them. If you will permit me to conduct this examination in my own way I may arrive at some result."
"Very well, sir," said the banker with some stiffness, "I am at your service."
"Then tell me what you consider was Mr. Grent's gravest fault?"
"To my mind he was too speculative."