Part 92 (1/2)

At that moment a servant brought in a card. As Mrs. Lancaster gazed at it, her eyes flashed and her lip curled.

”Say that Mrs. Lancaster begs to be excused.”

”Yes, madam.” The servant hesitated. ”I think he heard you talking, madam.”

”Say that Mrs. Lancaster begs to be excused,” she said firmly.

The servant, with a bow, withdrew.

She handed the card to Keith. On it was the name of the Rev. William H.

Rimmon.

Mr. Rimmon, as he stood in the hall, was in unusually good spirits, though slightly perturbed. He had determined to carry through a plan that he had long pondered over. He had decided to ask Mrs. Lancaster to become Mrs. Rimmon.

As Keith glanced toward the door, he caught Mr. Rimmon's eye. He was waiting on the threshold and rubbing his hands with eager expectancy.

Just then the servant gave him the message. Keith saw his countenance fall and his face blanch. He turned, picked up his hat, and slipped out of the door, with a step that was almost a slink.

As Mr. Rimmon pa.s.sed down the street he knew that he had reached a crisis in his life. He went to see Wickersham, but that gentleman was in no mood for condolences. Everything had gone against him. He was facing utter ruin. Rimmon's upbraiding angered him.

”By the way, you are the very man I wanted to see,” he said grimly. ”I want you to sign a note for that twenty thousand I lost by you when you insisted on my holding that stock.”

Rimmon's jaw fell. ”That you held for me? Sign a note! Twenty-six thousand!”

”Yes. Don't pretend innocence--not on me. Save that for the pulpit. I know you,” said the other, with a chilling laugh.

”But you were to carry that. That was a part of our agreement. Why, twenty thousand would take everything I have.”

”Don't play that on me,” said Wickersham, coldly. ”It won't work. You can make it up when you get your widow.”

Rimmon groaned helplessly.

”Come; there is the note. Sign.”

Rimmon began to expostulate, and finally refused pointblank to sign.

Wickersham gazed at him with amus.e.m.e.nt.

”You sign that, or I will serve suit on you in a half-hour, and we will see how the Rev. Mr. Rimmmon stands when my lawyers are through with him. You will believe in h.e.l.l then, sure enough.”

”You won't dare do it. Your marriage would come out. Mrs. Lancaster would--”

”She knows it,” said Wickersham, calmly. And, as Rimmon looked sceptical, ”I told her myself to spare you the trouble. Sign.” He rose and touched a bell.

Rimmon, with a groan, signed the paper.

”You must have showed her my letter!”

”Of course, I did.”