"He had strong reasons for doing so," went on the man sitting at his table. "The combination of the pair--both of whom were fearless and successful speculators--soon raised the firm to the position of one of the best-known financial houses in London. They dealt in millions, as others deal in thousands, and both men, in the course of a few years, amassed great fortunes. Suddenly, when just in the zenith of their prosperity, a great and terrible exposure was made. It was found that they had, by promoting certain bogus companies, which had been largely taken up, netted huge profits. The shareholders, numbering many thousands of widows, clergymen, retired officers, and such-like persons, who are ever ready to swallow the bait of a well-written prospectus, became furious, and the Public Prosecutor took up the matter actively. Though my client was, I assure you, utterly blameless in the matter, and afterwards paid back every penny he had received from the transaction, nevertheless such public outcry was made against him as a swindler, that, victim of circumstances, he was compelled to fly the country. Trusting implicitly to his partner, Harford--who, by a very shrewd move, cleared himself, although he was, no doubt, the actual culprit--he, on the night of his flight, placed his little daughter, to whom he was entirely devoted, in his care, urging him to adopt her, and not to allow her to know her real father's name." "What?" I cried, starting suddenly to my feet as the amazing truth flashed upon me for the first time. "Then Asta is Edgecumbe's daughter, and Shaw's real name is Harford!" "Exactly. With these facts in your mind you will be able to follow me more closely." Again I sank back into my chair astounded.