It proved that the captain was, and the twins, gangling, grinning, vulture-like, went into the room where he sat.
"We were quite sure we'd find you at your post," said Rehoboam. "No matter what the day, or who be absent, we knew you'd be at hand."
"Sit down," said Weir, and he said it coldly. And when they had done so, he added, "What is your errand?"
"A trifle," said Nathaniel. "Only a trifle." He coughed behind his hand and looked at Rehoboam. It was Rehoboam who spoke.
"It may, or may not, have come to your attention," said he, "but in the past half-year Mr. Charles Stevens has had some dealings with our house. A number of times—how often was it, brother?" appealing to Nathaniel.
"Four times," said Nathaniel. "Exactly four."
"Just four," Rehoboam told Captain Weir. "I like to be quite correct. Four times in the past half-year, Mr. Charles Stevens requested us to come here; we did so, and each time a transaction was entered in our books."
"He borrowed money of your father," said Captain Weir; "I know that."
"The bills," said Rehoboam, "were dated some few months or so apart. Of course," and he grinned at Captain Weir most calculatingly, "our calling here to-day is the merest form—"
"It means nothing at all," said Nathaniel.