"I know Mr. Wentworth."

"Norman Wentworth?"

"Yes; I know him very well. He is an old friend of mine."

"Have you been to him?"

"No, sir."

"Why not?"

"Because my relations with him are entirely personal. We used to be warm
friends, and I did not wish to use his friendship for me as a ground on
which to approach him in a commercial enterprise."

Mr. Creamer's countenance expressed more incredulity than he intended to
show.

"He might feel under obligations to do for me what he would not be
inclined to do otherwise," Keith explained.

"Oh, I don't think you need have any apprehension on that score," Mr.
Creamer said, with a glint of amusement in his eyes. "It is a matter of
business, and I don't think you will find business men here overstepping
the bounds of prudence from motives of sentiment."

"There is no man whom I would rather have go into it with me; but I
shall not ask him to do it, for the reason I have given. Good morning."