"As things stood, when your father was in charge, we were unable to market that big stock-issue which would have saved us. Reese took hold and showed us how to manage it. We made a list of assets that was--well, it was padded! We filed our sworn statements with the various state commissioners of securities, and got permission to sell the stock. Salvation was just in sight for the company when your wedding-day came--and you know what happened then. Reese threw us all out and took over the company." Dorothy watched him with burning gaze. Across her face had slowly spread a mortal pallor. "You don't mean that everything was prepared before-hand--even that meeting in father's library, that telegram--and what happened then?" This was the moment of crisis, and Slosson met it firmly. He lifted his face, white with the lie that was on his lips. To Dorothy, it seemed the pallor of confession. He met her intent, flaming eyes, and nodded. "Yes. We didn't expect it, of course. Reese and Macgowan and his man Wren had it all framed up. They knew we couldn't raise the money that telegram demanded--I believe they arranged to have the telegram sent at the proper time. Wren came to Evansville, on the quiet, about a month before your wedding, and looked up the company's affairs thoroughly--" "Wren did?" whispered Dorothy, her eyes wide and stricken. "Jimmy Wren?" Slosson nodded, caught his breath sharply. "He was only obeying orders, of course. It was through him that Reese handled things--showed us how to get that stock issue on the market. We never dreamed that the company was going to be grabbed from us. And," he added reflectively, "I'm not blaming Reese for that. I don't think it was all his scheme. I blame Macgowan, for it was Macgowan who learned about all the details--" He came to his feet and resumed his restless pacing back and forth. "You see, Dot, Reese will have to act immediately--" "Why," suddenly struck in Dorothy, "why has Macgowan, through all these weeks and months of bitter enmity, never raised the question of this stock issue against Reese? Was he involved in it?" Slosson shook his head. "I don't think he even knew of it until recently. That was Armstrong's own private affair; the Armstrong Company, you see, was to handle the stock and sell it. Of course, if Macgowan ever brings up this matter it means the ruin of Reese. And now Macgowan knows about it, and is bringing it up. "I've learned through Williams," he went on quickly, "that Macgowan is obtaining an indictment against Reese in Illinois, on charges of fraud in connection with the stock sales. That will amount to nothing, probably. This other business, however, can be raised against him everywhere, in every state! And Macgowan knows about it. That's why Reese must act at once, get to Macgowan without delay, call off the whole fight and patch up a peace!"