“I don’t belong in the plutocrat class.”
Lamont Cranston was studious. Despite his pretense, he had recognized Rutledge Mann. Moreover, he knew a great deal of his history.
Mann was of a family that had once been wealthy. He had conducted a small brokerage business, and had dealt with members of the Cobalt Club. Now, it was evident that he had fallen into hard times.
“Business not so good, eh?” questioned Cranston.
“There is no business at all,” replied Mann quietly.
“Closed out?”
“Yes.”
“That’s too bad,” observed Cranston. There was an understanding in his tone that impressed Rutledge Mann. “What are you going to do now?”
“I don’t know,” Mann replied. “I’d do anything to get started again. I owe a lot of debts. If it wasn’t for that—”
He stopped abruptly. Although he never ended the sentence, Lamont Cranston inferred the rest. The peculiar flicker that appeared on Mann’s face told him all.