“I know that,” replied the operator sharply. “Perhaps you can inform me where he is, since you and he appear to be hand in glove.”
“As you have not seen him, how can you say you have his evidence——”
“We will not argue that point. But if you are curious to know how I obtained my information, I will say that a confidential messenger of mine ran across your friend Dudley and heard from that gentleman’s lips enough to convict you of the charge I bring against you. If you have anything to say in your defence that your conscience would advise you to bring forward I will listen to you, otherwise I will have to ask you to bring your connection with this office to an immediate close.”
“You wish me to understand that you have received this information through Vance Thornton?” asked Mr. Vyce, with compressed lips and lowering brow.
“I have mentioned no name.”
“But you sent him out West.”
“How do you know that?” asked Mr. Whitemore curtly.
“He has been absent from the office for some ten days, and as those options of yours were on the point of expiring, I supposed——”
“Isn’t it a fact that you advised Mr. Sidney Carrington at once of Vance’s absence from this office, and suggested your idea of his destination and purpose? And don’t you know that Mr. Carrington, Mr. Dudley, and a woman connected with their office, went to Kansas City for the express purpose of blocking the boy’s mission by getting possession of my options by foul means?”
“As you seem predisposed to my guilt, I see no use in making any answer to your questions. I wish you to understand that I brand your informant—whether he be Vance Thornton, as I believe, or somebody else—as a liar.”