Joe was still in his office. He looked surprised to see his friend, and yet made no remark. In spite of his effort to appear cheerful, the keen eye of the detective could see the traces of acute suffering in his face. “I’ve been to see that man, Joe,” he said. “You have?” “Yes, I thought it might be best for all concerned if I could shame him into giving up his design.” “That was too bad, Eric, I would have forbidden it had I known your intention.” “I know it. The thought came to me after I had seen you. I am sorry now I went.” “You failed?” “I did indeed.” “Well, don’t be afraid to tell me. You see I’m calm and collected.” Eric could not but notice this, but he did not like it. In his mind it seemed like the awful stillness that precedes the hurricane. He had no excuse for withholding anything so he told Joe what had occurred. “That man is an accomplished scoundrel,” the other said, quietly. “I believe that myself, but don’t be afraid of our not mastering him. I discovered one of his weak points after leaving him.” “Trust you for that—what was it?” Eric proceeded to tell of his adventure. “Show me the duplicate,” said Joe, trembling with emotion. When he had hastily read the copy Darrell had made, he uttered a low cry of despair. “Yes, it is so,” he muttered. “What?” “We are to have company to-night. It is my birthday, as I told you, and my wife said she had invited a few relatives and friends in to spend the evening—an informal affair with a little supper of coffee, cakes and ice cream. Yes, it is all a deep-laid scheme—and on my birthday too. Oh! Lillian, my wife, how could you!” His arms lay upon the table, and he let his head fall heavily upon them. Eric turned to the window and smoked his cigar in silence. He had the deepest respect for the grief of his friend—it was the keenest misery a human soul can meet here below—death causes many pangs, but not the bitter blank that comes when one is betrayed by the individual he or she had been ready to die for. Yes, from the hour the base Judas betrayed his loving Master, human misery has never known a lower depth than this. For five minutes Joe fought his battle all alone, and then he looked up. His face was set and calm, as though he had conquered again. It was a bitter struggle and wearing upon him but he must go through to the end. “Eric, I am ready to converse again. Pardon my weakness, old friend, but this is a cruel business. I did not think I was such a baby. “Baby! Great heavens! man, you bear it twice as well as I could. Such a thing would have murdered me outright.” They began talking again. Eric spoke of his unformed plans, and between them they began to patch up a scheme by means of which the end they sought would be attained without publicity. What it was we shall not disclose just now, leaving that for the proper time.