“But this isn't business.” And he plunged into the papers once more. “There were over nine thousand shares sold this afternoon, and I got only five thousand of them.” “I suppose Decker picked the others up,” I said. The King of the Street did me the honor to look at me in amazement. “Decker!” he roared. “How did you--” Then he paused and his voice dropped to its ordinary tone. “I reckon you're right. What gave you the idea?” I frankly detailed my conversation with Wallbridge. As I went on, I fancied that the bushy brows drew down and a little anxiety showed beneath them. I had hardly finished my account when there was a knock at the door, and the servant appeared. “Mrs. Knapp's compliments, and she would like to see Mr. Wilton when you are done,” he said. I could with difficulty repress an exclamation, and my heart climbed into my throat. I was ready to face the Wolf in his den, but here was a different matter. I recalled that Mrs. Knapp was a more intimate acquaintance of Henry Wilton's than Doddridge Knapp had been, and I saw Niagara ahead of my skiff. “Yes, yes; quite likely,” said my employer, referring to my story of Wallbridge. “I heard something of the kind from my men. I'll know to-morrow for certain, I expect. I forgot to tell you that the ladies would want to see you. They have missed you lately.” And the Wolf motioned me to the door where the servant waited. Here was a predicament. I was missed and wanted--and by the ladies. My heart dropped back from my throat, and I felt it throbbing in the lowest recesses of my boot-heels as I rose and followed my guide. CHAPTER XII LUELLA KNAPP As the door swung open, my heart almost failed me. If there had been a chance of escape I should have made the bolt, then and there. I had not counted on an interview with the women of Doddridge Knapp's family. I had, to be sure, vaguely foreseen the danger to come from meeting them, but I had been confident that it would be easy to avoid them. And now, in the face of the emergency, my resources had failed me, and I was walking into Mrs. Knapp's reception-room without the glimmer of an idea of how I should find my way out. Two women rose to greet me as I entered the room. “Good evening,” said the elder woman, holding out her hand. “You have neglected us for a long time.” There was something of reproach as well as civility in the voice. Mrs. Doddridge Knapp, for I had no doubt it was she who greeted me, was large of frame but well-proportioned, and stood erect, vigorous, with an air of active strength rare in one of her years. Her age was, I supposed, near forty-five. Her face was strong and resolute, yet it was with the strength and resolution of a woman, not of a man. Altogether she looked a fit mate for Doddridge Knapp. “Yes,” I replied, adjusting my manner nicely to hers, “I have been very busy.”