"Joe, I won't tell you," said Stover shortly. "I am mad clear through and through. I'm going to shut up on the whole business. If my friends misjudge me—so much the worse for them. If some one else—" He stopped, flung his hat on the couch, and sat down at the desk. "What's the lesson?"
But at this moment Regan and Story came in, bolting the door.
"Well, we've got the truth," said Story. He came over and laid his hand on Dink's shoulder.
"What do you mean?"
"Tom and I have had it out with Schley and Troutman. They've told the whole thing, the miserable little curs." His voice shook. "You're all right, Dink; you always were, but it's a shame—a damn shame!"
"Oh, well, they lost their nerve," said Stover heavily.
"Why the devil didn't you tell us last night?"
"What was the use?"
"We could have stopped its getting into the papers, or had it right."