"I have done it for several years," declared Wickersham. "I had writer's cramp once."
The expression on Keith's face was very like a sneer, but he tried to suppress it.
"It will do," he said, as he folded the papers and took another envelope from his pocket. "This is your ticket for the steamer for Buenos Ayres, which sails to-morrow morning at high tide. Dennison will go with you to a notary to acknowledge these papers, and then will show you aboard of her and will see that you remain aboard until the pilot leaves her. To-morrow a warrant will be put in the hands of an officer and an application will be made for a receiver for your property."
Wickersham leant back in his chair, with hate speaking from every line of his face.
"You will administer on my effects? I suppose you are also going to be administrator, de bonis non, of the lady in whose behalf you have exhibited such sudden interest?"
Keith's face paled and his nostrils dilated for a moment. He leant slightly forward and spoke slowly, his burning eyes fastened on Wickersham's face.
"Your statement would be equally infamous whether it were true or false. You know that it is a lie, and you know that I know it is a lie. I will let that suffice. I have nothing further to say to you." He tapped on the edge of the glass again, and Dennison walked in. "Dennison," he said, "Mr. Wickersham has agreed to my plans. He will go aboard the Buenos Ayres boat to-night. You will go with him to the office I spoke of, where he will acknowledge these papers; then you will accompany him to his home and get whatever clothes he may require, and you will not lose sight of him until you come off with the pilot."
Dennison bowed without a word; but his eyes snapped.
"If he makes any attempt to evade, or gives you any cause to think he is trying to evade, his agreement, you have your instructions."
Dennison bowed again, silently.