“I know all that, sir,” replied the lawyer; “and therefore I advocated waiting.”
“And I tell you I must act. Look here, sir, I’m in a very awkward predicament. I have had back this morning a refusal from San Francisco to honour a draft. The way in which this man has forestalled me makes me seem to my agents an impostor.”
“Hum!”
“A hum?” said the young man laughing. “Well, call it so if you like.”
“I never make jokes, sir. That was an ejaculation.”
“Good. Then here is what I propose. I will be my own detective, and see if I cannot run this man down. I want to stand face to face with him.”
“That is quite right,” said the doctor, who was fidgeting about like one who feels himself out of the conversation.
“And to do this I want a sufficient sum of money placed in my hands for current expenses.”
“I could not for a moment tolerate such a proposal, sir,” said the lawyer shortly.
“I will place the necessary funds in your hands,” said the doctor.