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"It was a curious cheque, ma'am," replied Starmidge. "It was drawn on Mr. Hollis's bankers, Vanderkiste, Mullineau & Company, of Lombard Street. It was dated. It was filled in for ten thousand pounds in words and in figures. But it was not signed and it was not made out to any body. No name of payee, you understand, ma'am, no name of payer. But it is very evident Mr.
Hollis might have told him something about that special purpose. But he told him nothing." "You'll have to go to the London & Universal people," observed Mr. Vanderkiste. "They, of course, will know all about this customer." Mullineau looked inquiringly at his partner.
Mullineau leaned forward. "We don't know if Frederick Hollis paid any large amount in lately, you know," he observed. "Hadn't you better summon Linthwaite?" "Our manager," remarked Mr. Vanderkiste, as he touched a bell. "Ah, yes, of course he'll know. Mr. Linthwaite," he continued, as another elderly man entered the room, "can you tell us what Mr. Frederick Hollis's balance in our hands is?"
They followed Starmidge's story point by point, nodding every now and then as he drew their attention to particular passages, and the detective saw that they comprehended all he said. He made an end at last and Mr. Vanderkiste, a white-bearded, benevolent-looking gentleman, looked at Mr. Mullineau, a little, rosy-faced man, and shook his head.
Starmidge read aloud what the manager had written down on his principal's instructions. "Drawer Helen Lester," he read. "Bank London & Universal: Pall Mall Branch." He looked up at the two partners. "I suppose you gentlemen don't know who this Mrs. or Miss Helen Lester is?" he inquired. "No not at all," answered Mr. Mullineau. "Nor does Linthwaite. I thought Mr.
"So I should imagine so I should imagine!" assented the old gentleman. "Very remarkable proceedings altogether! We shall be deeply interested in hearing how matters progress. Of course, this affair of the ten thousand pounds is very curious. We " Mr. Mullineau came back with a slip of paper, which he handed to the detective. "That gives you the information you want," he said.
"Frankly, I should!" replied Hollis, with a smile. "That is, if it was on his private account." "Do you happen to know who kept his private account?" inquired Starmidge. "Yes," answered Hollis. "He banked with an old private firm called Vanderkiste, Mullineau & Company, of Lombard Street."
The two old gentlemen exchanged looks, and Mr. Mullineau quietly rose and left the room. In his absence Mr. Vanderkiste shook his head at the detective. "A very, very queer case, officer!" he remarked. "An extraordinary case, sir," agreed Starmidge. "Before we get to the end of it there'll be some strange revelations, Mr. Vanderkiste."
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