"Before making things public, Thorne," he said, "I wanted you to read that."
Thorne read with bulging eyes the yellow sheets that were thrust before him. Over and over again he read them; then he leaned over and touched Murgatroyd on the arm, saying:—
"Don't make it public."
"Why not?"
"There are political reasons—many of them," pleaded Thorne.
"But it's bound to leak out——"
"Never mind. I don't want it made public." Thorne seemed terribly uneasy.
But again Murgatroyd persisted:—
"What of Mrs. Challoner?"
"I'll take care of Mrs. Challoner," responded Thorne. "Just leave the whole thing to me. I'll see that everything is done."