"In Mannahatta — here — they were partners; and Ryle had brothers in England, and he was the foreign partner and Lansing was here, for the American part of the business. Well, they were working togezer for years; — and at the end of them, when they break up the business, it is found that Ryle has made himself money, and that my brother has not made none! So he is poor, and my sister, and Ryle is rich."
"How is that?"
"It is that way as I tell you; and Ryle has plenty, and
Lansing and Therésa they have not."
"But has Mr. Lansing no notion how this may have come about?"
"He knows nozing!" said the naturalist, — "no more than you know — except he knows he is left wizout nozing, and Ryle has not left himself so. Dat is all he knows."
"Can I see Mr. Lansing?"
"He is too sick. And he could tell you nozing. But he is not satisfied."
"Is John Ryle of this city?"
"He is of this city. He is not doing business no more, but he lives here."
"Well, we can try, Mr. Herder," said Winthrop, tapping his bundle of papers on the table, in a quiet wise that was a strong contrast to the ardent face and gestures of the philosopher. It was the action, too, of a man who knew how to try and was in no doubt as to his own power. The naturalist felt it.