"And Doctor," he added meaningly, "after these people go, you
come back."

With a conscious glance at the Judge, Rainey nodded and left
them.

"No," continued the old man; "I want to talk to my niece myself.
But I don't want to talk to Winthrop. He's too clever a young
man, Winthrop. In the merger case, you remember -- had me on the
stand for three hours. Made me talk too." The mind of the old
man suddenly veered at a tangent. "How the devil can Helen
retain him?" he demanded peevishly. "She can't retain him. She
hasn't any money. And he's District Attorney too. It's against
the law. Is he doing it as a speculation? Does he want to marry
her?"

Judge Gaylor laughed soothingly.

"Heavens, no!" he said. "She's in his office, that's all. When
she took this craze to be independent of you, he gave her a
position as secretary, or as stenographer, or something. She's
probably told him her story, her side of it, and he's helping
her out of charity.:" The Judge smiled tolerantly. "He does that
sort of thing, I believe."

The old man struck the library table with his palm. "I wish he'd
mind his own business," he cried. "It's my money. She has no
claim to it, never had any claim --"

The Judge interrupted quickly.