Though Eversleigh had asked for the information Silwood thus gave him, his mind was so stunned by the grave news concerning the condition of his friend that he hardly took in what his partner said. Silwood saw that Eversleigh was not following him. He now spoke sharply and abruptly, so that Eversleigh was compelled to listen. "Morris, I take it," said he, "wishes to make an examination into his affairs--an investigation, one might call it; _that_ is the meaning of his desire to check over the securities, certificates of shares, etc., in our hands." "Well, it's very natural in the circumstances," observed Eversleigh. "Poor Morris! Poor fellow! To have fought all these long years for his fortune--to have won--and now to be robbed of the fruits of the struggle; it must be bitter--bitter! Such a fine fortune, too! Thanks to your financial ability, Cooper," continued Eversleigh, with returning complacency, "his estate is in a highly satisfactory condition; everything is in apple-pie order; he will be delighted with your admirable management. It's a great fortune," he added, meditatively. "What we hold of it, Cooper, is something like a quarter of a million, is it not?" "Yes, yes," assented Silwood, speaking rapidly. "Francis," he went on, his manner for the first time showing a trace of nervousness, his speech a touch of incoherence, "that's what I must talk to you about--there's a very good reason why I am so anxious as to the date of Morris Thornton's arrival--something must be done at once." "What do you mean, Cooper?" asked Eversleigh, his attention aroused; "I don't understand you." Silwood had up to this point been standing; he now seated himself and gazed fixedly at his partner, on whose face was to be seen some uneasiness but no great alarm--rather a vague wonder. "Frank," said Silwood, steadily, and now master of himself, "prepare yourself--I have something to say--I have a confession to make." As he heard these words, Eversleigh, with a sudden movement, pushed his chair back from the table. Fearful of what was coming, he stared at Silwood, his mild eyes big with surprise and terror. "What is it?" he stammered, in increasing agitation--"what is it?" And he jumped up to his feet excitedly, exclaiming, "A confession to make! You! Am I going out of my senses? My God! What do you mean, Cooper?" "What I mean is this," said Silwood, keeping his eyes fastened snake-like on Eversleigh as if to magnetize him: "when Morris Thornton comes to look into his affairs and ask for the securities and so forth we are supposed to hold----" "Supposed to hold!" cried Eversleigh, in tremulous accents. "When he asks us for his property he will discover----" "No, no, no--never that, Cooper!" interrupted Eversleigh, at last perceiving the other's drift. "He will discover that his estate has vanished; it does not exist," said Silwood.