He was on his way to the pantry to dismiss François to his home when the bell sounded. He stopped François with a gesture. XII "Don't open the door for a minute," he said in a low voice. "Evie, will you come tomorrow night--no not tomorrow. Today is Monday, come on Friday." "Yes, dear." She was glad to escape. "Through there," he pointed. "François, let mademoiselle out by the pantry door after you have answered the bell." Who was the visitor? People did not call upon him except by invitation--except Steppe. And Jan Steppe came slowly and suspiciously into the hall. Ronnie scarcely noticed the doctor who followed him. "Why were you keeping me waiting?" he growled. "François could not have heard the bell," answered Ronnie easily. "That's a lie." He looked round the room and sniffed. "You had a woman here, as usual, I suppose?" Ronnie looked injured. "M'm. Some shop girl," insisted the big man. "One of your pickups, huh?" "I tell you I have been alone all the evening," said Ronnie, resigned. "François, isn't that so?" Jan Steppe saved the servant from needless perjury. "He's as big a liar as you are. You'll burn your fingers one of these days." He had a deep, harsh laugh, entirely without merriment. "You had a little trouble about one last year, didn't you?" Merville, impatient and fretful, broke in. "Let him alone, Steppe. I want to get this business over." Steppe stared at him. "Oh, you want to get it over, do you? We'll hurry things up for you, doctor!" Ronnie was interested. He had never heard Steppe speak to Merville in that tone. There had been a marked change in Jan's attitude, even in the past few days. However, Ronnie was chiefly concerned in considering all the possible reasons for this call. The doctor explained and Ronnie breathed again. "We'll sit here," said Steppe. He sat down in Ronnie's library chair and taking a bundle of documents from his inside pocket, he threw them on the table. "Here are the papers you want, Merville--and by the way!" He turned in his chair and glowered at Ronnie. "Do you remember we pooled the Midwell Traction shares, Morelle?" His voice was ominous. "Er--yes--of course," said Ronnie, quaking. "We undertook to hold the stock until we mutually agreed as to the moment we should unload, huh?" Steppe demanded deliberately. Ronald made an ineffectual attempt to appear unconcerned. "And we undertook not to part with a share until the stock reached forty-three. Do you remember, huh?" "Yes," said Ronnie, and the big man's fist crashed down on the table. "You're sure you remember?" he shouted. "You sold at thirty-five. Do that again, and d'ye know what I'll do?" "I'm sure Ronald wouldn't--" began Merville, but was silenced. "You shut up! It didn't matter so much that Traction slumped. But you broke faith with me, you rat!" "Don't lose your temper, Steppe," said the other sulkily, "it was a mistake, I tell you. My broker sold without authority."