He held this for a moment poised between finger and thumb, then he tore it open and took out a sheet of paper, and turned his flashing eyes from the two men to the document.
He rose for a moment with the smile still on his face; then they saw it fade, saw the flush slowly disappear, and in its place a dull grey steal over the face.
Stafford, startled, went round to him and laid a hand on his shoulder.
"What is the matter, sir ?" he asked.

"Bad news ?" Sir Stephen looked at him as if he did not see him, then turned his eyes upon Falconer, who stood regarding him with a fixed, sardonic gaze.
"Hast thou found me, oh, mine enemy ?" came at last from Sir Stephen's white lips.
Stafford looked from one to the other.
"What--what on earth is the matter?
What do you mean ?" he said.
Sir Stephen raised his hand and pointed to Ralph Falconer.
"This--this man!" he gasped; then he shook his head impatiently, as if he were fighting against his weakness.

"This man Falconer has betrayed me!" Stafford drew himself up, as he stood by his father's side, and eyed Falconer sternly.
"Will you explain, Mr.Falconer ?" he said.
"Certainly," said Falconer, with a grim calmness.

"Your father uses unwarrantably strong language, Mr.Orme, for an action of mine which is quite a common one amongst business men." "No!" gasped Sir Stephen, as he sank back into the chair.

"Treachery is not common--" "Treachery is the wrong word," said Falconer, as coldly as before.
"Better let me explain to Mr.Stafford.I can do so in a few words, Mr.
Orme.