"Brockley because he knew too much," Benson interrupted, "Chadwick because it was the easiest way to work it. Grady and I had nothing to do with either of those jobs."
"I'm glad young Chadwick is coming clean," observed Delmuth. "The old man was a menace. Like Brockley, he knew more than he should have. That was one reason for getting rid of him.
"But those stock certificates were the big reason. It was easy to get them from young Chadwick. The old man would never have delivered them."
"I'm not so sure about that," objected Benson. "If I had taken the job, I could have persuaded him. I have a persuasive way when it comes to getting what I want. But the other plan was too simple to pass up."
As Benson finished speaking, the door opened, and a man entered. It was Grady. The stocky, broad-shouldered man was leering as he entered. In his hand he held the portfolio which he had received from Denby Chadwick. Without a word he tendered it to Benson, who passed it over to Delmuth.
Eagerly, the advertising man opened the portfolio. From it he drew a mass of papers.
Chief among these was a stack of green stock certificates.
Delmuth's eyes gleamed. His lips moved excitedly as he unfolded the certificates.
"These fix it!" he exclaimed. "Mayo offered plenty for these, but could never get them.
Wait until he finds out that I have them! Here's the whole controlling interest of the Holyoke Safe Manufactory! It dominates the entire industry!