“I quite thought that they were going to make it up, and then it seemed that they quarrelled again,” one of the ladies at the other table said. The other nodded. “I think that they do not know their own minds, young people seldom do. I wish I had bought three yards more of that cerise ninon. It would have made up so well for Violet, don’t you think?” CHAPTER XXVI MR. ALSTON CALLS Mr. Philip Slotman sat in his office; he was slowly deciphering a letter, ill-written and badly spelled. “DEAR SIR, “According to promise I am writing to you hopeing it finds you as it leaves me at present. Dear sir, having some news I am writing to tell you saime. Yesterday Mr. John Everard of Buddesby was here and him and Miss Jone was in the garden for a long time. I seen them from my window, but could not get near enuff to hear. Anyhow I see him kissing her hand. Laiter, after he had gone, I seen Miss Jone and Mrs. Everard together, and listened as best I could. From what I heard I imadgined that Miss Jone and Mr. John Everard is now engaged to be married, which Mrs. Everard seems very pleased to hear. “This morning Miss Jone gets a letter and the postmark is Hurst Dormer, like you told me to look out for. She is now gone to London. Please send money in accordance with promise and I will write and tell you all the news as soon as there is any more. “Youres truley, “MISS ALICE BETTS.” The door opened, a boy clerk came in. Slotman thrust the letter he had been reading into an open drawer. “What is it? What do you want?” “A gentleman to see you, sir. Mr. Alston from—” “I can’t see him!” Slotman said quickly. “Tell him I am out, and that—” “I am already here, and you are going to see me.” Hugh Alston came in. “You can go!” to the boy, who hesitated. “You hear me, you can go!” Hugh closed the door after the lad. “You’re not going to be too busy to see me this morning, Slotman, for I have interesting things to discuss with you.” “I am a busy man,” Slotman began nervously. “Very!” said Hugh—“very, so I hear.” He stepped into the room, and faced Slotman across the paper-littered table. “I have been hearing about some of your enterprises,” he said, and there was that in his face that caused Mr. Slotman a feeling of insecurity and uneasiness. “One of them is blackmail!” “How dare—” Slotman began, with an attempt at bluster. “That’s what I am here for; to dare. You have been blackmailing a young lady whose name we need not mention. You have obtained the sum of three thousand pounds from her, by means of threats. I want that money—and more; I want a declaration from you that you will never molest her again; for if you do—if you do—” Hugh’s face was not good to see, and Mr. Slotman quivered uneasily in his chair.