"All right. Then I'll go with you. You shan't take the three-fifteen or any other train till we've settled this and some other questions. Oh, it's a fact. No hard feelin', you know; just business, that's all."
Egbert moved toward the door. His caller rose to follow him. The captain often wondered afterward whether or not Phillips would really have left the room if there had been no interruption. The question remained a question because at that moment there was a knock on the other side of the door. It had a marked effect upon Egbert. He started, frowned and shot another glance at the clock.
"Excuse me," said Mrs. Backus, opening the door a crack, "but my husband has come."
Phillips seemed relieved, yet troubled, too.
"Yes—ah—yes," he said. "Will you kindly ask him to wait? Thank you."
The lady closed the door again. Egbert took a turn across the room and back. Kendrick smiled cheerfully.
"About those bonds?" he observed.
Phillips faced him.
"The bonds," he declared, "are mine. How I got them is not your business in the least."
"Just a minute, just a minute. Cordelia Berry——"