"Because it didn't occur to me that you would care to know, I guess," he answered unsuspectingly. "As a matter of fact, I had almost forgotten it myself."
"Was it a good investment?" she asked guilelessly.
"Yes; that is, I presume it was. I didn't think much about that part of it."
"What did you think about?"
It was just here that he awoke to the realization that he could hardly afford to give Jasper Grierson's daughter the real reason for the investment. So he prevaricated, knowing well enough that he had less than no chance in an evasive duel with her.
"Raymer had been adding to his plant, and he lacked capital," he said guardedly. "I had the money, and it was lying idle."
"Mr. Raymer didn't ask you for help?"
"No; it was my own offer."
"But he did tell you that he was in trouble?"
"Y-yes," hesitantly.