There were but few letters remaining, and, during Bilton's pause for consideration, the secretary had opened the rest, and had them ready to read. The next was from Amelie.
'DEAR SIR,
'Kindly order all work of coal-boring on the Molesworth property to be stopped until further instructions from me.
'Faithfully yours,
'AMELIE KEYNES.'
Bilton frowned, and held out his hand for this.
'I'll answer that,' he said. 'Go on.'
The smooth-voiced secretary proceeded:
'We are instructed by our client the Earl Keynes to apply to you for the prompt payment of the sum of fifteen thousand pounds. Should your cheque for this not reach us by the evening of Tuesday, September 3, his lordship will place the matter in other hands. He desires me to admit no discussion either from you or your representatives.
'We are, dear sir,
'Faithfully yours,
'HOBARTS & HOWARD.'
Bilton did not ask for this; he plucked it out of the young man's hand.
'Anything more?' he asked.
'No, sir; that is all.'
'Very good. I shall leave by the two o'clock train for Molesworth. I shall spend the night there, and get back to-morrow. If by the evening's post to-day or by to-morrow morning's post there is anything further from Messrs. Hobarts and Howard, telegraph it to me.'