Dr. Merville would gladly have dispensed with his presence, thought Ronnie, and wondered if he had intruded into an important conference. "Come and sit down, Ronnie. Lunching alone? That is rather unusual, isn't it?" "My friend disappointed me," said Ronnie and he saw the doctor's lip curl. "Did she--too bad," said Maxton. "It was a 'he'," corrected Ronnie, and knew that neither man believed him. He noticed Sir John glancing at his companion. "Ronnie, I wonder if you can help us. Do you remember the flotation of that Traction Company of Steppe's?" "I don't think it is much good asking Ronnie," the doctor broke in with a touch of impatience. "Ronnie's memory is a little too convenient." "I remember the flotation--in a way," admitted Ronnie. "Do you remember the meeting that was held at Steppe's house when he produced the draft of the prospectus?" Ronnie nodded. "Before we go any farther, John," interrupted Merville, "I think it will be fair to Ronnie, if we tell him that there is trouble over the prospectus. Some of the financial papers are accusing us of faking the assets. The question is, was I responsible, by including properties which I should not have included, or did Steppe, in his draft, give me the facts as I published them? I don't think Ronnie will remember quite so vividly if he knows that he may be running counter to Steppe." Ronnie did not answer. "You see what I am driving at," Sir John went on. "There may be bad trouble if the Public Prosecutor takes these accusations seriously--which, so far he hasn't. We want to be prepared if he does." "I cannot remember very clearly," said Ronnie. "I am not a member of the Board. But I do recall very clearly Steppe showing a draft and not only showing it, but reading it." "Do you remember whether in that draft he referred to the Woodside Repairing Sheds; and if he did, whether he spoke of those as being the absolute property or leased property of the company?" "The absolute property," said Ronnie. "I remember distinctly because the Woodside Repairing Shops are on the edge of a little estate which my father left me--you remember, John? And naturally I was interested." Merville was dumbfounded. Never in his most sanguine moments did he suppose that Ronnie would assist him in this respect. Ronnie, who shivered at a word from Steppe, whose sycophantic servant he had been! "This may come to a fight," said Sir John, "and that would mean putting you in the box to testify against Steppe. Have you quarrelled with him?"