"You do so at your own risk."
"And that risk?"
"Means hanging to you!" said Ellersby, brutally.
The two men stood looking fixedly at one another, and for a few moments there was a dead silence, while the three listeners waited with beating hearts for the end of the conversation which seemed to promise the solution of this extraordinary mystery.
Balscombe remained for a time in deep thought, and then looked up with a look of determination in his eyes.
"I decline to accede to your demand," he said, firmly.
"Then you must take the consequence."
"I am prepared to do so."
Ellersby paused for a minute.
"Will you tell me the reason for your decision?"