‘I don’t think much of you as a book-keeper, you know,’ Fisker said to Miles Grendall in the now almost deserted Board-room of the South Central Pacific and Mexican Railway.  Miles, remembering his father’s advice, answered not a word, but merely looked with assumed amazement at the impertinent stranger who dared thus to censure his performances.  Fisker had made three or four remarks previous to this, and had appealed both to Paul Montague and to Croll, who were present.  He had invited also the attendance of Sir Felix Carbury, Lord Nidderdale, and Mr Longestaffe, who were all Directors;—­but none of them had come.  Sir Felix had paid no attention to Fisker’s letter.  Lord Nidderdale had written a short but characteristic reply.  ’Dear Mr Fisker,—­I really don&rsquo...