waited for.

"Through you, by God? Who said it was through you? Do you
suppose I leave it to you, or to anybody else, for that matter, to
keep my wife informed of my actions? I didn't suppose even such
egregious conceit as yours could delude a man to that degree!"
Struggling for a foothold in the small landslide of his dignity,
he added, in a steadier tone, "My wife learned the facts from me."

Flamel received this in silence. The other's outbreak seemed to
have reinforced his self-control, and when he spoke it was with a
deliberation implying that his course was chosen. "In that case I
understand still less--"

"Still less--?"

"The meaning of this." He pointed to the check. "When you began
to speak I supposed you had meant it as a bribe; now I can only
infer it was intended as a random insult. In either case, here's
my answer."

He tore the slip of paper in two and tossed the fragments across
the desk to Glennard. Then he turned and walked out of the
office.

Glennard dropped his head on his hands. If he had hoped to
restore his self-respect by the simple expedient of assailing
Flamel's, the result had not justified his expectation. The blow
he had struck had blunted the edge of his anger, and the
unforeseen extent of the hurt inflicted did not alter the fact