Drummond broke off a spray of dogwood blossom and tossed it away unheeded.
"You understand," he said sternly, "understand thoroughly, that I insist upon complete satisfaction in the matter."
"I understand."
"That I must have the proof and testimony which I have named."
"I understand."
"You speak confidently."
"I speak as I feel—as I have reason to speak."
"As you think you have reason to speak," echoed Drummond, an ominous gloom shadowing his fierce eyes. "Well, sir, do your best—accomplish what you can—then come to me at any hour of the night. You may suit your own convenience. Between this hour and daybreak you will find a light burning which will guide you straight to me. You will find me alone and waiting—but, mark you! if you come to me with any trickery, any fabrication, any counterfeit proof, I shall detect you in your infamy, and shall be merciless; so beware! Likewise should you attempt to evade me in the humiliation of failure, I warn you that I shall be equally relentless."
Morton replied in a tense tone which betrayed the struggle for composure that he was undergoing.
"I do not fear you," he said, "your approbation or displeasure is alike a matter of indifference to me. In any case, though I admit but one to be possible, I shall come to you before daybreak."