"Talking," said Armstrong. Perceiving the advantage of reticence, and being himself ignorant of Slosson's exact errand at Aircastle Point, he gave the frowning Windsor a slight smile. Obviously, that gentleman thought that Slosson had given Armstrong warning of this whole affair, and was disturbed thereby. Armstrong shifted his ground quickly. "As you very well know, at the time you charge that I was conspiring with you, my affairs were all in the hands of Lawrence Macgowan. Just where does he enter into this matter?" Williams hesitated slightly before this shrewd demand. "So far as I know," he responded, "he was not connected with it at all." "Really?" Armstrong laughed. "When, at the time, he was my personal adviser and chief aid? You never suspected that he was involved or had knowledge of this?" "No," said Williams stubbornly. "Not even when, after my marriage, he handled on my behalf all the negotiations which ended in Consolidated Securities taking over Food Products?" Williams rallied. "The matter was never discussed between us," he responded. "If Macgowan was aware of the matter, he never mentioned it." "Yet you are relatives," persisted Armstrong. "And you have been very intimate with him, particularly of late. You were in Wilmington at the annual meeting of Consolidated, and voted ten thousand shares of stock, paid for with your note for five thousand dollars. Before you went to Wilmington, you must have been aware of Mr. Windsor's active interest in this present affair--isn't that so, Windsor?" "Yes," said Windsor quietly. Armstrong looked at Williams. "Then you did not discuss the matter with Macgowan while you were in Wilmington?" "No." Williams clenched his thin lips for an instant. "No. He was too much occupied with his campaign to give time to outside matters." "That is very extraordinary." Armstrong laughed again. "You'll have to fix up a better story on that before you go on the witness stand, I warn you! Then you don't know about Slosson coming to my house, or what took place as a result of his call?" Fear leaped into the eyes of Williams again, yet he answered quickly and with obvious sincerity that impressed even Armstrong. "No. We went to New York together, and separated. I haven't seen him since, and he certainly did not intend seeing you." Windsor intervened quietly. "Mr. Armstrong, may I ask just what did take place as a result of his call on you?" "I can't answer that question now." Armstrong paled slightly; a spark leaped into his eyes. "Wait until Slosson gets here, and we'll have the matter out then." So far as Williams was concerned, he knew himself beaten. Dorns, who was sitting close to Williams' desk, must have known it also; but the sharp eye of Dorns had been prying about that desk. Now Dorns leaned forward, and reached out one long arm.