"And you have proofs?"
"Yes, I have proofs. They are all here docketed and numbered. I will go into them whenever you're ready. They are all there."
For a few seconds a silence fell upon them, and both Enoch Standring and George Preston watched Paul's face eagerly. They were wondering what he was thinking. Standring felt sure that he was planning some scheme of revenge.
"I'll be even with him for this!" said Paul presently.
Neither of them answered. They felt it was no use talking.
"But," continued Paul, "I can hardly see through it. Ned Wilson is a man capable of the riots trick. That's just the kind of thing he would do, but is he the man to lose money in order to satisfy his hatred?"
"Yes," said Standring, "the kind of hatred he has towards you. You see, he's a deeper chap than you think, is Ned Wilson. I've known him from a boy. He would carry a grudge for years. But he's been a chap who's always been noted for paying off old scores, and he's paid you off."
"You've not told me all yet, Standring," said Paul. "Ned Wilson had other motives than that of paying off an old score. I see—I see!" And he clenched his fists angrily. "Why didn't I see it before? Yes, that's it."
"What's it?" asked Preston.
"Never mind what it is; but I see it plainly. Yes, I understand, and he shall rue it."