At this apparently preposterous query, the visitor lost his affability.
"No, I haven't," he almost shouted. "Mr. Manning, I did not come here to lose valuable time in answering silly questions. I have made you a proposition in good faith. Will you please give me a reply?"
"So you wish to enter our employ as bookkeeper?"
"Yes."
"And if we engage you we can become the agents of your English and German firms in this matter of the government contracts?"
"Yes, yes."
Grant arose from his chair, and leaning one hand upon the desk, he added, impressively:
"Will you also promise to clear up the mystery of the Black debt, Mr. Round?"
Nattie and Mori, who were keenly watching the visitor's face, saw him pale to the very lips. He essayed to speak, but the words refused to come. Finally regaining his composure by a violent effort, he replied, huskily: