It was a fake, but it didn't
originate with Kittredge or with me."
"With whom, then?"
"I hate to tell you, Evan--it'll hit you hard. The frame-up was your
father's. He got hold of Kittredge the night before, some time after we
had left my office together to go up-town. He told Kittredge it was for
the good of 'the cause,' and suggested that a wire purporting to come
from Mr. McVickar would probably turn the trick. He didn't give his
reason for wanting to get you out of the way at this time, and Kittredge
didn't ask it."
Blount was pinning the traffic manager down with an eyehold which was
like a gripping hand, and the close air of the little mahogany bank cell
became suddenly charged with the subtle effluence of antagonism. Blount
was the first to break the painful silence.
"You have told me nothing new, Dick, or at least nothing that I have not
been taking for granted almost from the beginning. But let it be
understood between us, once for all, that I discuss my father, his
motives, or his acts, with no man living. We'll drop that phase of it;
it's a side issue, and has no bearing upon the business that brought us
here. You asked for the proof of my ability to compel your employers and
mine to turn over the clean leaf. You have it there under your hand."
For answer, Gantry pushed the rubber-banded file across the table to his
companion.
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