"You failed me in one thing---you didn't make Reade take me back on the job, as I told you to do." "I couldn't," pleaded Mr.Bascomb.

"Prenter stood with Reade and was against me." "You're the president of the company, aren't you ?" Evarts demanded sullenly.
"Yes; but Prenter is a bigger man in the company, and he has more influence with the board of directors.

If Prenter came out against me, and persuaded the other directors that I was a bad asset for the company, they'd act on Prenter's suggestion and remove me from the presidency." "Humph!" jeered Evarts.

"Then what would your directors do if they knew that---." "Stop!" begged Mr.Bascomb hoarsely, "Don't say a word further, man! Sometimes even the leaves on the trees have ears.

Don't breathe a word of what you were going to say just now." Even in the dark the two concealed watchers could see that Bascomb was glancing about him nervously.
"Now, what is up ?" gasped Tom inwardly.