“We object,” said the district attorney mildly.
“State your objection,” said the Court. “Incompetent and irrevelant and having no possible bearing on the subject—”
“Withdraw the question,” said Mr. O'Brien suavely. “Did you not offer James Hildebrand, Jr., one-ten for his stock, Mr. Stevens, through his father? I say 'through his father' because you were not on speaking terms with the son?”
“I think I did.”
“And didn't young Hildebrand send word that he wouldn't sell to you at any price?”
“Something of the sort. He was unreasonable.”
“You were, therefore, very much surprised and gratified to get it at ninety-five and a fraction from Mr. Schoolcraft later on, were you not?”
“I was not surprised,” confessed Mr. Stevens, separating his finger tips for the first time, and shifting his position so that he could fold his arms comfortably. “Mr. Schoolcraft bought the stock for me. There was no secret about it. Hildebrand must have known that Schoolcraft was acting for me. I was fair enough to offer him one-ten. It is not my fault that he was eventually forced to sell fifteen points lower. I was not to blame because he was hard-pressed or pinched for ready money.”
“He was a sick man, wasn't he?”
“His health was poor.”