"All set, Jimmy," said Armstrong, watching Wren calmly. "What is it?" "Trouble," blurted Wren, desperation in his face. "Federal investigation--indictments! We're all going to be indicted--you and me, all of us! By this time there's been a fraud order issued against us. The business is wrecked. We'll be arrested--" From Armstrong broke a laugh of angry incredulity. "Man, are you drunk? What's wrong with you?" Wren stared at him from terrible eyes. "What's wrong with me? I don't know--except that, maybe, I've always trusted you, Armstrong! If you've lied to us, deceived us, then you'll land us all in jail. Nothing's wrong with me if--if you're straight. Nobody knows that except you. Because I had faith in you, believed in you, I came straight here--Macgowan didn't want me to, and said he might get things settled without bothering you--but it's gone too far. If they close up the business--" Armstrong's hand gripped his shoulder and set him back in the chair from which he had half risen in his excited burst of speech. "Sit down, Jimmy. There must be a cursed good explanation of what you've just said! Take it easy, now. Start at the beginning of all this nonsense. Let's have all that has happened. Did Macgowan go to Washington the night I left New York?" "Yes. He didn't know what Findlater was up to. Nobody did." Armstrong's eyes glinted. "Findlater! What's he done?" "I guess he was back of that letter from Seattle." At this moment Dorothy interposed. She had been watching Jimmy Wren, a pallor rising in her face. Now she looked at Armstrong and spoke. "What letter do you mean?" Armstrong was burning with anxiety to hear what had happened. The business wrecked, indictments in the air, Jimmy Wren in wild panic--all this meant some disaster out of the blue. Something inconceivable had been going on in New York. He was profoundly stirred by Wren's almost incoherent words. It was characteristic of Armstrong that, apparently cool as ever, he now turned to Dorothy and quietly told her of the letter Macgowan had received from Seattle. His poise had an immediate effect on Jimmy Wren. "Why did you keep all that from me?" asked Dorothy. "Did you forget that promise you made me, Reese?" She checked herself. Something in her eyes frightened Armstrong; some singular quality in her voice startled him. "It was not worth bothering you with, dear," he responded. "It seemed too trivial, too small! It was evidently some mistake. It's impossible that there could be anything back of it. Now, Jimmy--ah, here's Uncle Neb!" Armstrong rose, brought in the tray of food, set it before Wren. He returned to his own chair and lighted a cigar, repressing his impatience anew. "Get a bite to eat, Jimmy, and straighten up. Then let's have the whole thing." Wren obeyed, for he was dominated by Armstrong. After a few bites, he turned from the tray, to the anxious eyes fastened upon him.