m sank back limply into his chair, and his face became ashen.

"And here is the mail," pursued the gentle Hermes, handing him a
bundle of letters.

Ketchim roused himself with an effort. His eyes flashed angrily. "Do
you know whether James has been selling any of his own Molino stock?"
he asked.

"I--I believe he has, sir--a little."

"Humph! And how much?"

"He sold some two hundred shares yesterday--I believe; to a Miss
Leveridge."

"Leveridge? Who's she? What did he get for it?"

"Why, the Leveridge children--grown men and women now--have just sold
their farm down state; and Mr. James saw the sale announced in the
papers. So he got in touch with Miss Alvina Leveridge. I believe he
sent Houghton down there; and he closed a deal. Mr. James got eight
dollars a share, I believe."

"You believe! You _know_, don't you?"

"Yes, sir," meekly.

Ketchim gulped down his wrath, and continued:

"How much did the Leveridges get for their farm? And why didn't you
inform me of the sale?" he demanded, fixing the humble Rawlins with a
cold eye.

"A--a--twenty-five thousand dollars, sir, I believe. And I didn't see
the notice until--"

"As usual, James saw it first! An excellent scout you are! Twenty-five
thousand dollars! How many acres?"

"A hundred and eighty, I believe."

Ketchim reflected. "James is still dickering with Miss Leveridge, I
suppose?"

"I believe so, sir."

"Nezlett got back last night, didn't he? Very well, call him up and
tell him to get ready to go at once to--wherever the Leveridges live.
And--I want to see him right away!"

He abruptly dismissed the factotum and turned to his mail. As his
glance fell upon the pile he gasped. Then he quickly drew out a letter
and tore it open. His thin lips moved rapidly as his eyes roved over
the paper. He laid the letter down and looked wildly about. Then he
took it up again and read aloud the closing words:

"--and, having bought somewhat heavily of Molino stock, and
believing that your representations were made with intent to
deceive, I shall, unless immediate reparation or satisfactory
explanation is made, take such steps as my counsel may advise.

"Yours, etc.,
"J. WILTON AMES."

Congealing with fear, Ketchim took his stock memorandum from a drawer
and consulted it. "He put in ten thousand, cash," he murmured, closing
the book and replacing it