'I knew you lied, Hallet. It is natural to you.'
'But I can't let Frank go without Mr. Cragin's consent.'
'I will arrange with Cragin. Sign the check and draw the paper at once, or I go.'
'But give me time to think—see me to-morrow.'
'I shall never exchange a word with you after to-night. You can have ten minutes—not a second more,' and I took out my watch to count the time.
He seated himself at his desk, and rested his head on his hand for a moment; then turning to me, he said: 'You promise that this interview, and all that has passed, shall never be mentioned by you?'
'I do—never to your injury.'
'David, please write the check,' said the senior partner, as he proceeded himself to draw up the agreement. In a few minutes he handed it to me. It was short, and merely recited that the co-partnership which had theretofore existed between John Hallet, Augustus Cragin, and Henry F. Mandell, under the name and style of Russell, Rollins & Co., was on that day dissolved by mutual consent; said Mandell withdrawing, and assigning the control of all the assets of said firm to said Hallet and Cragin, and releasing to said Hallet any portion of its capital and profits to which he might be entitled.
I read the document, and quietly handed it back. 'That will not do, Mr. Hallet. Thirty thousand dollars settles with you, his father. I have not, and shall not make any settlement with the firm. David must pay Frank what is his due—no more, no less.'
'But,' began Mr. Hallet.