There was no hesitation, no misgiving on the part of either, as he
strode into Beverley's office. Constance had prepared the record
which they had been working on, and for days had been momentarily
expecting this crisis. She felt that she was ready.

An ominous silence greeted Dodge as he entered.

"We have had experts on your books, Dodge," began Beverley, clearing
his throat, as Murray seated himself, waiting for them to speak
first.

"I have seen that," he replied dryly.

"They are fifty thousand dollars short," shot out Dumont.

"Indeed?"

Dumont gasped at the coolness of the man. "Wh--what? You have
nothing to say? Why, sir," he added, raising his voice, "you have
actually made no effort to conceal it!"

Dodge smiled cynically. "A consultation, will rectify it," was all
he said. "A conference will show you that it is all right."

"A consultation?" broke in Beverley in rage. "A consultation in
jail!"

Still Dodge merely smiled.