Almost immediately Lord Barminster appeared, accompanied by Mortimer
Shelton. Harker rose respectfully and rather nervously, but Lord
Barminster at once put him at his ease.

"Pray be seated, Mr. Harker," he said politely, as he and Shelton set
the example. "This is my son's friend, Mr. Shelton, and I should like
him to be present at our interview."

Mr. Harker bowed.

"I presume you are the Mr. Harker into whose possession came the forged
bill?" continued his lordship.

"As a mere servant--yes, my lord," answered Mr. Harker. "I have become
aware of the identity of the man who committed the actual forgery, and
also of the fact that he is now preparing to bring further trouble on
yourself and Mr. Adrien Leroy."

Lord Barminster started as if to speak, but Mr. Harker continued: "Fortunately, I am able to avert this, because I have brought the forged
bills with me; and I will explain all fully, if your lordship will hear
me through. It will take some little time, but I ask your patience."

Lord Barminster nodded and said quietly: "Go on."

With a dry cough, Mr. Harker opened the little black bag he invariably
carried with him, and drew from it a roll of papers. With slow
precision, the old man unfastened it and looked across at his listeners.

"Five years ago," he commenced, "my master--for, as I said before, I was
merely a servant, a machine, acting under instructions--ordered me to
buy up any bills bearing your son's name. Furthermore, I was to lend the
money to any amount within my master's credit to those who brought his
name as guarantee. I did so, and every bill and liability which was
contracted either in his own name or in yours, my lord, by Mr. Leroy,
fell into the hands of this man, who carried on the business under cover
of my name. He posed as the friend of Mr. Leroy, and by means of
forgeries, and cooked accounts, he has managed to acquire control of
your entire revenue."