"Of course," said Santoine, "knowing who Eaton is, gives us no aid in determining who the men were that fought with him in my study last night?" "It gives none to me, Mr. Santoine," Avery said steadily. "It gives none to you," Santoine repeated; "and the very peculiar behavior of the stock exchange to-day, I suppose that gives you no help either. All day they have been going down, Avery--the securities, the stocks and bonds of the properties still known as the Latron properties; the very securities which five years ago stood staunch against even the shock of the death of the man whose coarse but powerful personality had built them up into the great properties they are to-day--of Matthew Latron's death. To-day, without apparent reason, they have been going down, and that gives you no help either, Avery?" "I'm afraid I don't follow you, sir." "Yet you are a very clever man, Avery; there is no question about that. Your friend and my friend who sent you to me five years ago was quite correct in calling you clever; I have found you so; I have been willing to pay you a good salary--a very good salary--because you are clever." "I'm glad if you have found my work satisfactory, Mr. Santoine." "I have even found it worth while at times to talk over with you matters--problems--which were troubling me; to consult with you. Have I not?" "Yes." "Very well; I am going to consult with you now. I have an infirmity, as you know, Avery; I am blind. I have just found out that for several years--for about five years, to be exact; that is, for about the same length of time that you have been with me--my blindness has been used by a certain group of men to make me the agent of a monstrous and terrible injustice to an innocent man. Except for my blindness--except for that, Avery, this injustice never could have been carried on. If you find a certain amount of bitterness in my tone, it is due to that; a man who has an infirmity, Avery, cannot well help being a little sensitive in regard to it. You are willing I should consult with you in regard to this?" "Of course I am at your service, Mr. Santoine." Avery's voice was harsh and dry. The blind man was silent for an instant. He could feel the uneasiness and anxiety of the man across from him mounting swiftly, and he gave it every opportunity to increase. He had told Eaton once that he did not use "cat and mouse" methods; he was using them now because that was the only way his purpose could be achieved.