"Yes, sir. And might I then go down to the hall and report that meeting?"
"Certainly, Tim. This is the keenest man on my staff, Father."
Tim O'Neill beamed all over at this praise, and he settled himself resolutely to his task. Meanwhile Denis Quirk's office door closed with a bang on Father Healy and himself.
"I should like you to read this," said the priest, as he handed the fateful letter to Denis Quirk.
The latter took it and read it frowningly. Then he leaned back in his chair, and regarded the priest with a composed face.
"Well?" asked Father Healy.
"Well?" responded Denis.
"You will, of course, deny the calumny?"
Denis Quirk shook his head.
"The writer is a good man and a priest. As for the accusation, let time be the judge. I shall neither acknowledge nor deny it. There are others concerned besides myself."