s. I am even more certain of this now than
before."

"How do they know anything about my personal affairs?"

"I can't imagine, unless through some one of the secret-service men."

"You, of course, have made no reference to it?"

"Certainly not." Covington resented the suggestion.

"Now, about this last statement--what does that mean?"

"It is a complete mystery to me. Of course, there's nothing in it?"

Gorham looked at him with a flash in his eye which he had learned to
respect. "Do I need to answer that question?"

Covington's watchful mind noted the evasion. Gorham had not actually
denied it.

"Of course not," he responded; "but they claim to have indisputable
evidence. I tried to find out what it was, but knowing how close I am to
you, they are holding that back until the meeting."

"Indisputable evidence, have they? I should like to see it! Please have
a call signed by the secretary and sent out at once for a special
meeting of the Board to be held to-morrow afternoon at four o'clock.
Send with it a waiver of the usual five days' notice. More than a
majority of the Board are in the city, and they will be as eager as I am
to dispose of this matter."

The formalities in opening the meeting were brief, and the business in
hand was taken up with a promptness which showed the strong desire
dominating both sides to have the issue met squarely and settled once
for all. It was an interesting study to watch the expressions on the
various faces. Men who seldom allowed their bearing to reflect the
emotions influencing them, gave every evidence of their full
appreciation that a crisis was upon them. With the possible exception of
Covington, Gorham showed less than any of them the effect of the tense
strain which the situation developed. At the last meeting, the committee
had witnessed an exhibition of the latent reserve force which lay
beneath the impassive exterior, so they needed no further warning that
the quiet yet flashing eyes, the firm setting of the mouth, the head
bent forward, the general bearing--alert and decisive--all attested a
foeman worthy of their steel. It was his business life now against
theirs, but they believed themselves strong enough to force the
struggle.

Litchfield was again spokesman. "Nothing can be more painful," he said,
"to me personally or to the other members of the Board of Directors than
to have circumstances arise such as these which have made this meeting
necessary. It was a