"Moreover," Mr. Prenter continued, "most of us have known all about the matter since just before you were elected president."
"And yet you allowed me to be elected!" cried Mr. Bascomb hoarsely.
"Yes; because we looked up your life and your conduct since—-well, ever since you left the past behind and came out into business life again. Our investigation showed that you had been living for years as an honest man. The rest of us on the board are men—-or think we are—-and we voted, informally, not to allow one misstep of yours to outweigh years of the most upright living since."
"Knowing it all, you elected me to be president of the company!" gasped
Mr. Bascomb, as though he could not believe his ears or his senses.
"Now, let us hear no more about it," urged Mr. Prenter, cordially. "If I listened just now—-if I played the part of the eavesdropper, allow me to explain my conduct by saying that I, too, was present to-night when you talked with Evarts. I heard, and I knew that Reade and his friend heard. I listened, just now, in order that I might make sure that Thomas Reade, engineer, is a man of honor at all times. And now, let no one say a word more."
Some one else was coming. All on the porch turned and waited to see who it was. Out of the shadows came a hang-dog looking sort of fellow.
"Is Mr. Bascomb here?" asked the newcomer.
"I am Mr. Bascomb," spoke the president.
"Here's a note for you," said the man, handing over an envelope.
Tom stepped inside, got a lantern and lighted it, placing it upon the porch table. With the aid of this illumination Mr. Bascomb read the brief note directed to him.