"No. We went to New York together, and separated. I haven't seen him since, and he certainly did not intend seeing you."
Windsor intervened quietly.
"Mr. Armstrong, may I ask just what did take place as a result of his call on you?"
"I can't answer that question now." Armstrong paled slightly; a spark leaped into his eyes. "Wait until Slosson gets here, and we'll have the matter out then."
So far as Williams was concerned, he knew himself beaten. Dorns, who was sitting close to Williams' desk, must have known it also; but the sharp eye of Dorns had been prying about that desk. Now Dorns leaned forward, and reached out one long arm.
"D'ye mind if I look at this?" he said, and extricated a half-concealed check from among the papers there. Williams did not answer, but sat immobile, silent, his eyes narrowed upon Dorns. The latter shrugged, and handed the check to Windsor.
"This ain't my funeral," he said. "But you might like to ask questions yourself."
Windsor inspected the check, and glanced up at Ried Williams.
"A check for five thousand from Consolidated?"
Armstrong thrilled to those words, but Williams only nodded slightly.