Upon the whole Mr. Werner felt relieved that before Mr. Benning could take up his parable again the door opened, and Messrs. Forde and Kleinwort reappeared, the latter exclaiming, "We have got him now; the right man for the right place; Duncombe, you know Duncombe." "I cannot say that I do," answered Mr. Benning, while Henry Werner, with an impatient "Pshaw," turned on his heel, and walked to the window, against the panes of which a fine drizzling rain was beginning to beat. "It seems to me, sir," began Mr. Forde irritably, "that as you are unwilling to make any suggestion yourself, you might find some better employment than objecting to the suggestions of others." "That is enough," was the reply. "Manage the affair after your own lights, and see where they will ultimately land you." "Who is Duncombe?" inquired Mr. Benning. "A most respectable man; A1, sir," explained Mr. Forde. "The London representative of Fleck, Handley and Company, whose works are at Oldbury, Staffordshire." "Oh!" said Mr. Benning. He was beginning to recollect something about Fleck, Handley and Co., and their London representative also. "A large firm in a large way," continued Mr. Forde. "They have extensive transactions with the G. C. C. Limited." "Which fact in itself is a proof of respectability and solvency," added Werner with his bitter tongue. "Ah! but they are not accountants," commented Mr. Benning, affecting unconsciousness of the sneer. "And we must have an accountant, or we shall meet with no end of difficulty. The position of affairs, as I understand it, is this: Mr. Mortomley is either unable to go on or else wishes to stop. The result is the same, let the cause be which it may. He wishes the affair kept quiet or some of his creditors do. To effect this object he wishes me to act for him in the matter. Now, if I am to do so effectually, it is needful for us to have a trustee about whose _bona fides_ there can be no question. It is not enough for us that a man is a very honest fellow or useful or expedient. We must have some one with a known name accustomed to this sort of work. It is perfect waste of time racking our brains to think which Dick or Tom or Harry will answer our purpose best. We can have no Dick or Tom or Harry. This is not a small affair, and the Court will require some responsible man to take the management of such an estate." "There is no estate to manage," interposed Mr. Forde. "The whole thing has been muddled away, or made away with." "If that be your real opinion, the whole thing had better go into bankruptcy at once," said Mr. Benning. "No--no--no--no, not at all; by no means, no," exclaimed Mr. Kleinwort as the lawyer rose as if intending to depart. "That must not be. I, Kleinwort, say no. Forde is rash--rash. He knows not what is good or best. He talks beyond the mark."