"What is that you say about the Stock Exchange? He never speculated there to my knowledge, and I ought to know, as we were at one time very intimate, and I lived next door to him for many years."
"But you are surely aware that it was his losses on the Stock Exchange which compelled him to pay 2s. 6d. in the pound."
"No, and I don't believe it. I never could induce him to try a single time bargain. I understood the bankruptcy was quashed, but I never heard the particulars."
"Well, it is a fact that when he suspended payment he had in his possession an immense number of worthless shares. There never was such a stack of rubbish, and nobody could understand how a man with his wits about him could have thrown his money away on such abominations."
Mr. Murray laughed loudly, and I looked at him in surprise.
"You have not got a list of his valuable shares?" he asked.
"I believe I have," I answered; "the accountants' balance sheet contains one."
"Bring it here to-morrow and I will meet you. We may be able to make some money."
My suspicions were aroused, and you may be sure that I kept my appointment with Murray, who was punctual. I had been successful in finding the list, and handed it to him.