He thumped his hand on the table and turned away to the window.
"When you last saw Mr. Ford was he in good health? Did he stand the strain?"
"Ford had no nerves. He was never better in his life."
"In these great transactions he would have his enemies. If his plans succeeded there would be many hard hit, perhaps ruined. Have you any suspicion of a man who, to save himself, might make away with Mr. Ford?"
"No," said the manager after a moment's thought. "No, I can not give you a single name. The players are all big men, Inspector. I don't say that their consciences would stop them from trying such a trick, but it wouldn't be worth their while. They hold off when jail is the certain punishment."
"Was this financial crisis in his own affairs generally known?"
"Certainly not."
"Who would know of it?"
"There might be a dozen men on both sides of the Atlantic who would suspect the truth. But I don't suppose that more than four people were actually in possession of the facts."
"And who would they be?"