"I think you must be under a great mistake, Mr. Novarro. My uncle allows my mother a small income, and I help her all I can."
"There is certainly a great mistake somewhere," said the Cuban. "To my certain knowledge your father possessed a hundred thousand dollars in first-class securities. Didn't you know anything of this?" continued Mr. Novarro, observing Ben's look of extreme amazement.
"I know nothing of it, Mr. Novarro."
"Then he must have been robbed of the securities which I myself gave him on the 18th day of May, in the year 18—"
"That was the day of my father's death," said Ben.
"He died on that very day?" said the Cuban in excitement. "Tell me the particulars of your father's death. Did he die a natural death?"
"Yes, sir; he died of heart disease."
"And where?"
"In the house of my Uncle Nicholas."