Crookes did not seem to consider that the remark called for any useless words. He put his hands in his pockets and looked at Cressler.

“Does he know?” faltered Cressler. “Do you suppose he could have heard that I was in this clique of yours?”

“Not unless you told him yourself.”

Cressler stood up, clearing his throat.

“I have not told him, Mr. Crookes,” he said. “You would do me an especial favor if you would keep it from the public, from everybody, from Mr. Jadwin, that I was a member of this ring.”

Crookes swung his chair around and faced his desk.

“Hell! You don’t suppose I’m going to talk, do you?”