“In the first place, what do you know about Ellison?”
“Well,” replied Sanborn, rather doubtfully, “I know a good deal about him, and yet I don’t know much.
“I first met him four years ago in London. We were introduced by a mutual acquaintance, a young Englishman of his walk of life, who had spent some time in this country, and with whom I was well acquainted.
“I saw a good deal of Ellison in London at that time. He was very nice to me in showing me around.
“As a matter of fact, he went over to Paris with me, and, on our return, took me down with him to his relative’s place, the Earl of Kerleigh’s.
“So you see that I know there’s nothing bogus about his position. But he is one of those fellows, so reserved and so quiet, that you may say you never know him. I should say, however, that he was as straight as the majority.”
“When did you next see him?” asked Nick.
“Two years ago,” promptly replied young Sanborn. “He came over here with a shooting party, and, having written me that he was coming, and with some fellows of his kind, most of whom I knew, and that they were going into the West to shoot, I used my influence with my uncle to get up a special car to take them out there in style.
“When they arrived and found what I had done, they made me go with them.
“Returning to New York, I did the best I could to entertain them, and it was then that Ellison met Elsie.