“We don’t,” said Wally curtly. “This has nothing to do with you. Well,” he went on, “we’re waiting to hear what this is all about.”
Mr Pilkington gulped. Like most men of weak intellect who are preyed on by the wolves of the world, he had ever a strong distaste for admitting that he had been deceived. He liked to regard himself as a shrewd young man who knew his way about and could take care of himself.
“Major Selby,” he said, adjusting his spectacles, which emotion had caused to slip down his nose, “came to me a few weeks ago with a proposition. He suggested the formation of a company to start Miss Mariner in the motion-pictures.”
“What!” cried Jill.
“In the motion-pictures,” repeated Mr Pilkington. “He wished to know if I cared to advance any capital towards the venture. I thought it over carefully and decided that I was favorably disposed towards the scheme. I …” Mr Pilkington gulped again. “I gave him a check for ten thousand dollars!”
“Of all the fools!” said Mr Goble with a sharp laugh. He caught Wally’s eye and subsided once more.
Mr Pilkington’s fingers strayed agitatedly to his spectacles.
“I may have been a fool,” he cried shrilly, “though I was perfectly willing to risk the money, had it been applied to the object for which I gave it. But when it comes to giving ten thousand dollars just to have it paid back to me in exchange for a very valuable piece, of theatrical property … my own money … handed back to me … !”
Words failed Mr Pilkington.
“I’ve been deliberately swindled!” he added after a moment, harking back to the main motive.