"I meet all kinds of people in my business," said Ford. "I once sold that man some mining stock, and the joke of it was," he added, smiling knowingly, "it turned out to be good."
Ashton decided that the psychological moment had arrived.
"What is your business?" he asked.
"I'm a company promoter," said Ford easily. "I thought I told you."
"I did not tell you that I was a company promoter, too, did I?" demanded Ashton.
"No," answered Ford, with apparent surprise. "Are you? That's funny."
Ashton watched for the next move, but the subject seemed in no way to interest Ford. Instead of following it up he began afresh.
"Have you any money lying idle?" he asked abruptly. "About a thousand pounds."
Ashton recognized that the mysterious stranger was about to disclose both himself and whatever object he had in seeking him out. He cast a quick glance about him.
"I can always find money," he said guardedly. "What's the proposition?"