"I looked upon you," Wingate continued, "as only an ordinary, weak sort of scoundrel. I find you one of the filthiest blackguards who ever crawled upon the earth." Dredlinton scowled for a moment and then laughed in a hard, unnatural sort of way. "I can't lose my temper with you, Wingate--upon my word, I can't. You are so delightfully crude and refreshing. Your style, however, is a little more suited to your own country, don't you think--the Far West and that sort of thing. Shall I draft a little agreement that you will sell the shares to Phipps? Just a line or two will be sufficient." Wingate made no reply. He walked across to the frosted window and gazed out of the upper panes up to the sky. Presently he returned. "Where is your wife?" he asked. "She telephoned from the Milan this morning, discovered that the young lady to whom she had such unfounded objections had left, and returned in a taxi just before I started for the office." "Supposing I sell these shares?" "Then," Dredlinton promised, "I shall endeavour to forget the incident of last night. Further than that, I might indeed be tempted, if it were made worth my while, to provide my wife with a more honourable mode of escape." "You're wonderful," Wingate declared, nodding his head quickly. "What are you going to get for blackmailing me into selling those shares?" "Two thousand pounds." "Get along and earn it, then." Dredlinton wrote in silence for several moments. Then he read the document over to himself. "'I, John Wingate--all my shares in the Universal Steamship Company, and accept herewith as a deposit.' There, Mr. Wingate, I think you will find that correct. Phipps shall write you a cheque Immediately." He touched the bell. Phipps entered almost at the same moment. "I am pleased to tell you," Dredlinton announced, "that I have induced Mr. Wingate to see reason. He will sell the shares." "My congratulations!" Phipps ventured, with a broad smile. "Mr. Wingate has made a most wise and acceptable decision." "Will you make out a cheque for ten thousand pounds as a deposit?" Dredlinton continued. "Mr. Wingate will then sign the agreement I have drawn up on the lines of the memorandum you left on the desk." "With pleasure," was the brisk reply. Wingate took up a pen, glanced through the agreement, and was on the point of signing his name when a startled exclamation from the man by his side caused him to glance up. The door had been opened. Harrison was standing there, looking a little worried. His tone was almost apologetic. "The Countess of Dredlinton," he announced. The arrival of Josephine affected very differently the three men, to whom her coming was equally surprising. Her husband, after an exclamation which savoured of profanity, stared at her with a doubtful and malicious frown upon his forehead. With Wingate she exchanged one swift glance of mutual understanding. Phipps, after his first start of surprise, welcomed her with the utmost respect and cordiality.