“Don’t open it now,” he said in a low voice, “it is for yourself, and carries its own explanation with it.”
He then turned and faced the directors. There was something about his demeanor and an indescribable look on his face, which caused the murmurs of applause to die away and silence once more to fill the room.
Lord Grayleigh slipped the small packet into his pocket and also rose to his feet.
Ogilvie’s attitude and manner disturbed him. A sensation as though of coming calamity seemed to weigh the air. Lord Grayleigh was the first to speak.
“We are all glad to welcome you back, Ogilvie,” he said. “In more senses than one we are pleased that you are able to be present just now. I have just been reading your report to these gentlemen. I had finished it when you entered the room.”
“It is an admirable and brilliant account of the mine, Mr. Ogilvie,” said a director from the far end of the table. “I congratulate you not only on the good news it contains, but on the excellent manner in which you have put details together. The Lombard Deeps will be the best thing in the market, and we shall not need for capital to work the mine to the fullest extent.”
“Will you permit me to look at my report for a moment, Lord Grayleigh?” said Ogilvie, in a grave tone.
Grayleigh gave it to him. Ogilvie took it in his hand.