“There they are,” he resumed, throwing the packet upon the table.
The millionaire snatched at it and opened the package.
He found the documents forged by George Richmond, and opened the first one.
“Heavens! what have we escaped?” he ejaculated. “It was a very narrow escape. Did you read these papers, Claude?”
“No, never thought of that. I don’t care to know what the old hag was.”
“Great Cæsar! these papers would have destroyed us,” and Perry Lamont looked white. “She had it in her power to break me up, and I don’t see why she didn’t exercise it. Why, they’re worth a million almost.”
For some time Perry Lamont went over the papers in silence and did not look up again till he had reached the end of the last sheet.
Claude smiled inwardly all the time.
He knew that George had done his work well.
“Now, here they go,” said Lamont, senior, at last, as he moved toward the grate where a fire burned.