It was a meeting which Keith never forgot. He soon found that he had need of all of his self-control. He was cross-examined by Mr. Kestrel. It was evident that it was believed that he had wasted their money, if he had not done worse. The director sat with a newspaper in his lap, to which, from time to time, he appeared to refer. From the line of the questioning, Keith soon recognized the source of his information.
"You have been misled," Keith said coldly, in reply to a question. "I desire to know the authority for your statement."
"I must decline," was the reply. "I think I may say that it is an authority which is unimpeachable. You observe that it is one who knows what he is speaking of?" He gave a half-glance about him at his colleagues.
"A spy?" demanded Keith, coldly, his eye fixed on the other.
"No, sir. A man of position, a man whose sources of knowledge even you would not question. Why, this has been charged in the public prints without denial!" he added triumphantly.
"It has been charged in one paper," said Keith, "a paper which every one knows is for sale and has been bought--by your rival."
"It is based not only on the statement of the person to whom I have alluded, but is corroborated by others."
"By what others?" inquired Keith.
"By another," corrected Mr. Kestrel.
"That only proves that there are two men who are liars," said Keith, slowly. "I know but two men who I believe would have been guilty of such barefaced and brazen falsehoods. Shall I name them?"