Stafford," he said drily, with an emphasis on the "if."
"_If!_" echoed Sir Stephen, laughing and nodding. Stafford could see by
the brilliance of his eyes, the flush on his face, that he was excited
and was struggling with excitement. "If!"
Falconer nodded at the despatch-case, and, with another bantering
laugh, Sir Stephen opened it and took out a large envelope. He held
this for a moment poised between finger and thumb, then he tore it open
and took out a sheet of paper, and turned his flashing eyes from the
two men to the document.
He rose for a moment with the smile still on his face; then they saw it
fade, saw the flush slowly disappear, and in its place a dull grey
steal over the face.
Stafford, startled, went round to him and laid a hand on his shoulder.
"What is the matter, sir?" he asked. "Bad news?"
Sir Stephen looked at him as if he did not see him, then turned his
eyes upon Falconer, who stood regarding him with a fixed, sardonic
gaze.
"Hast thou found me, oh, mine enemy?" came at last from Sir Stephen's
white lips.
Stafford looked from one to the other.
"What--what on earth is the matter? What do you mean?" he said.
Pages:
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340