“Didn't you pay one-twenty-seven for the Schoolcraft stock, Mr. Stevens?” “I may have paid that much. Mr. Schoolcraft was not eager to sell. He held out for a stiff price.” “He owned the Hildebrand stock, didn't he? Why should he sell fifteen shares at ninety-five and a fraction when he might just as well have had one-twenty-seven?” “We object,” said the district attorney mildly. “State your objection,” said the Court. “Incompetent and irrevelant and having no possible bearing on the subject--” “Withdraw the question,” said Mr. O'Brien suavely. “Did you not offer James Hildebrand, Jr., one-ten for his stock, Mr. Stevens, through his father? I say 'through his father' because you were not on speaking terms with the son?” “I think I did.” “And didn't young Hildebrand send word that he wouldn't sell to you at any price?” “Something of the sort. He was unreasonable.” “You were, therefore, very much surprised and gratified to get it at ninety-five and a fraction from Mr. Schoolcraft later on, were you not?” “I was not surprised,” confessed Mr. Stevens, separating his finger tips for the first time, and shifting his position so that he could fold his arms comfortably. “Mr. Schoolcraft bought the stock for me. There was no secret about it. Hildebrand must have known that Schoolcraft was acting for me. I was fair enough to offer him one-ten. It is not my fault that he was eventually forced to sell fifteen points lower. I was not to blame because he was hard-pressed or pinched for ready money.” “He was a sick man, wasn't he?” “His health was poor.” “He was ordered to Colorado by his physicians, wasn't he?” “I believe so.” “And wasn't that the real reason why he was forced to sell out, and not because he objected to the reorganisation?” “We object,” said the Stated attorney. “Objection sustained.” Sampson looked at Miss Hildebrand. Her gaze shifted from the Court to him almost in the same instant, and it seemed to express astonishment, even incredulity--as if she were saying (although he was sure she would not have expressed herself so vulgarly): “Well, can you beat that!” “And now, Mr. Stevens,” went on Mr. O'Brien, after taking the usual exception, “you testified in direct examination that you and Mr. Drew purchased the defendant's Manhattan property. Did you buy it for the Cornwallis Realty and Investment Company, or for yourselves as individuals?” “We bought it for ourselves, as individuals.” “The company was not interested in the transaction?” “No.” “Did you first give the company an opportunity to buy, or did you--” “I said it was a private transaction. We have interests outside of the company, sir--just as you have interests outside of your legal business,” said the witness tartly. “I see. Well, Mr. Hildebrand was pressed for money at the time of the transaction, I believe you have said. This was some time before the alleged defalcation took place, I understand.”