“That sort of thing is somewhat of a facer,” went on Orde without the slightest attention to the interjection. “It took me some days to work it out in all its details; but I believe I understand it all now. I don't quite understand how you discovered about my California timber. That 'investigation' was a very pretty move.”
“How the devil did you get onto that?” cried Newmark, startled for a moment out of his cool attitude of cynical aloofness.
“Then you acknowledge it?” shot in Orde quick as a flash.
Newmark laughed in amusement.
“Why shouldn't I? Of course Heinzman blabbed. You couldn't have got it all anywhere else.”
Orde arose to his feet, and half sat again on the arm of his chair.
“Now I'll tell you what we will do in this matter,” said he crisply.
But Newmark unexpectedly took the aggressive.
“We'll follow,” said he, “the original programme, as laid down by myself. I'm tired of dealing with blundering fools. Heinzman's mortgage will be foreclosed; and you will hand over as per the agreement your Boom Company stock.”
Orde stared at him in amazement.