Eric could not but notice this, but he did not like it.
In his mind it seemed like the awful stillness that precedes the hurricane.
He had no excuse for withholding anything so he told Joe what had occurred. “That man is an accomplished scoundrel,” the other said, quietly.
“I believe that myself, but don’t be afraid of our not mastering him. I discovered one of his weak points after leaving him.”
“Trust you for that—what was it?”
Eric proceeded to tell of his adventure. “Show me the duplicate,” said Joe, trembling with emotion.
When he had hastily read the copy Darrell had made, he uttered a low cry of despair. “Yes, it is so,” he muttered.
“What?”
“We are to have company to-night. It is my birthday, as I told you, and my wife said she had invited a few relatives and friends in to spend the evening—an informal affair with a little supper of coffee, cakes and ice cream. Yes, it is all a deep-laid scheme—and on my birthday too. Oh! Lillian, my wife, how could you!”
His arms lay upon the table, and he let his head fall heavily upon them.