The newcomer raised his hand as though to strike Skinner. He
gnashed his teeth with the effort to control himself.

"You damned blithering idiot," he said hoarsely, gripping the side
of the table. "Why wasn't it presented to me first?"

"Guess it didn't seem worth while," Skinner answered. "There's
nothing in the darned thing."

"You ignorant fool, hold your tongue," was the fierce reply.

The newcomer sank into a chair and wiped the perspiration from
his streaming forehead. Mr. Sabin signaled to a waiter.

"You seem upset, Mr. Horser," he remarked politely. "Allow me to
offer you a glass of wine."

Mr. Horser did not immediately reply, but he accepted the glass
which the waiter brought him, and after a moment's hesitation
drained its contents. Then he turned to Mr. Sabin.

"You said nothing about those letters you had had when you came
to see me this morning!"

"It was you yourself," Mr. Sabin reminded him, "who begged me not
to enter into particulars. You sent me on to Mr. Skinner. I told
him everything."

Mr. Horser leaned over the table. His eyes were bloodshot, his