“I said it was a private transaction. We have interests outside of the company, sir—just as you have interests outside of your legal business,” said the witness tartly.
“I see. Well, Mr. Hildebrand was pressed for money at the time of the transaction, I believe you have said. This was some time before the alleged defalcation took place, I understand.”
“A year and a half prior to our discovery of the theft,” corrected Mr. Stevens.
“And you have testified that the so-called theft dated back even beyond that, at its beginning.”
“So the expert accountants informed us. I have no means of knowing for myself.''
“And it was your conclusion that he sold his property in the effort to rehabilitate himself before his misfortune was discovered?”
“I did not allude to it as a misfortune, sir.”
“Well, then, his crime.”
“I have said that such was my conclusion.”
“Will you again, state just what you paid for the property in question?”