d neither Podmore's own blank surprise when
the envelope was opened or his most desperate protestations could
change McIvor's idea of the situation. Knowing the truth of the
matter, Stiles had tried to save Podmore from the rough punishment
meted out to him at McIvor's camp, but his net return for his efforts
was abuse; he dare not reveal too close a connection with the envelope
as his own position already was too precarious.

On the night following his luncheon with Kendrick Stiles had gone back
to the office to finish some work. He was in the habit of working on
the books at night occasionally. He had no sooner let himself in than
he became aware of a heated discussion that was going on behind the
ground-glass partition which separated Alderson's private office from
the general office. One voice was Nickleby's; the other he did not
recognize, but from the tenor of the remarks he felt sure that what was
going on was of vital interest to his friends. Instead of turning on
the light, therefore, he had crept close to the partition.

He soon knew that the man alone with Nickleby in that office was
Harrington Rives, late of the penitentiary, and that Rives had known
Nickleby in the past. In fact, Rives was calmly advising Nickleby to
remember that the police had long memories, and that away down south in
the States was a certain institution which would be glad at any time to
welcome home a prodigal no matter how often he changed his name. After
this remark Nickleby had cooled down very quickly, as if realizing that
he was in Rives' power, and it was apparent to the eager youth in the
outer office that the pair understood each other thoroughly. Judging
by the clinking of glass and a certain recklessness of speech, both
were drawing heavily upon Alderson's stock of liquid "office supplies."

Stiles had become so excited over his discovery that for the moment he
had forgotten the danger of his own position. Accidentally he knocked
his knee against the partition and the first thing he knew Nickleby and
Rives came into the outer office on the run. They caught him just as
he had reached the door.

When they realized that he had overheard their conversation his life
had been in danger for an instant; for Nickleby was in a white-hot
passion and would have choked him. But the ex-politician took the
situation very coolly and dragged Nickleby loose somewhat roughly.
There was no use in getting excited, he had advised cal