2 P.M.
With trembling fingers , Arthur Ferris wrote a few lines , sealed them , and handed them to the lawyer , whose formal bow froze the words trembling upon his lips . Two long days of mental agony passed before Ferris , seated at his desk in the Trading Company 's executive offices , received a formal letter from the men whom now he most feared on earth . `` Not much to speculate on here , '' growled Ferris , as he pondered over the curt permission . `` Our client , Miss Alice Worthington , will receive you , on business , at No. 248 Central Park West , at 2 P.M. to-day . `` BOARDMAN AND WARNER , `` Executors , Hugh Worthington Estate . '' The signature seemed to be a fluttering banner of hostile hosts . And yet , summoning all his trained calm , Arthur Ferris , with unmoved gravity , bowed as he was ushered into the drawing-room of the great New York pleader .