A copy of this letter accidentally fell into Gorham's hands, and his indignation at its needlessly antagonistic wording was tempered by several elements of surprise. The frankness with which the grievances were stated was an evidence that his associates were prepared to force the break with him, and to dispense with whatever value his connection with the corporation might have. The reference to his domestic complications surprised him not a little, showing as it did a familiarity with this subject which he had not supposed to have become common property. The suggestion that he had been false to the ideals which he himself had imposed could only be construed as a gratuitous affront; yet these men who constituted the Executive Committee were not those who would lightly do this. He could quite understand their resentment of both his attitude and his words at the last meeting--he had expected them to make an effort to wrest from him, but in such a way as not to jeopardize their own interests, the supreme authority which he had forced from them; yet they all knew him too well even to suggest any transaction on his part so at variance with the standards which he had established. After thinking it all over, he sent for Covington, and as the younger man entered he handed him the communication. "Have you seen this before?" Gorham asked. "Yes; Litchfield just showed it to me." "What does it mean?" "Compromise, I hope," Covington replied. "Nothing else can prevent a great calamity to the Companies. I am even more certain of this now than before." "How do they know anything about my personal affairs?" "I can't imagine, unless through some one of the secret-service men." "You, of course, have made no reference to it?" "Certainly not." Covington resented the suggestion. "Now, about this last statement--what does that mean?" "It is a complete mystery to me. Of course, there's nothing in it?" Gorham looked at him with a flash in his eye which he had learned to respect. "Do I need to answer that question?" Covington's watchful mind noted the evasion. Gorham had not actually denied it. "Of course not," he responded; "but they claim to have indisputable evidence. I tried to find out what it was, but knowing how close I am to you, they are holding that back until the meeting." "Indisputable evidence, have they? I should like to see it! Please have a call signed by the secretary and sent out at once for a special meeting of the Board to be held to-morrow afternoon at four o'clock. Send with it a waiver of the usual five days' notice. More than a majority of the Board are in the city, and they will be as eager as I am to dispose of this matter."