"Go slow, old man; go slow," said Mulrady, quietly, putting on his
coat. "You will take the mine if it is yours; if it isn't, I'll
keep it. If it is yours, you will give your children a chance to
sho what they can do for you in your sudden prosperity, as I shall
give mine a chance to show how they can stand reverse and
disappointment. If my head is level--and I reckon it is--they'll
both pan out all right."

He turned and opened the door. With a quick revulsion of feeling,
Slinn suddenly seized Mulrady's hand between both of his own, and
raised it to his lips. Mulrady smiled, disengaged his hand gently,
and saying soothingly, "Go slow, old man; go slow," closed the door
behind him, and passed out into the clear Christmas dawn.

For the stars, with the exception of one that seemed to sparkle
brightly over the shaft of his former fortunes, were slowly paling.
A burden seemed to have fallen from his square shoulders as he
stepped out sturdily into the morning air. He had already
forgotten the lonely man behind him, for he was thinking only of
his wife and daughter. And at the same moment they were thinking
of him; and in their elaborate villa overlooking the blue
Mediterranean at Cannes were discussing, in the event of Mamie's
marriage with Prince Rosso e Negro, the possibility of Mr.
Mulrady's paying two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, the
gambling debts of that unfortunate but deeply conscientious
nobleman.


CHAPTER VI