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"I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened

here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure

your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and

hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this

snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who

takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the

facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can.

"It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking

business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative

investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection

and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means

of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security

is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction

during the last few years, and there are many noble families to

whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their

pictures, libraries, or plate.