"Yes, for Mr. Planter's satisfaction, not mine. Of course I know Reid couldn't have written that. But of all the cowardly, damnable tricks—!"
"What did I tell you this morning? Some of these men, in their mad jealousy and envy, are capable of anything."
"I couldn't have believed it! I hope old Planter attached no weight to this precious communication?"
"No, or he would not have shown it to me. He suggested that it was a forgery with a calmness which showed that he regarded it as an everyday occurrence."
And a forgery it proved to be. The reply to Mordaunt's telegram came in these words:
"Have no correspondent named George. Have written no letter concerning you to any one."
Mordaunt took it to Mr. Planter.
"Is there no means of tracing the perpetrator of this vile fraud?"
The American shook his head, and smiled. "These lies are of no account with us, sir."
"So I should hope, but they are not the less disgraceful."