to be; and I don't intend that Bob shall be one, either." He
turned to young Wharton. "What are you doing here, my boy?" he
asked.

"Just stopped in for a minute. You'll find all the bric-a-brac in
its place."

"Now don't get funny. I'm sorry to see you with these grafters."
Hammon indicated Jim and Lorelei with a nod.

"Eh? What's that?" Bob stiffened, and Jim murmured an indignant
protest.

"You heard me. They're grafters, and you'd better cut loose from
them."

"Wait a minute. Lorelei's my wife. 'S true, Jarvis."

"Wife?" Hammon took a heavy step forward. "WIFE? Hell, you're
drunk, Bob!"

"P'raps. But we're mar--"

"So! You landed him, did you?" Hammon glared at the brother and
sister. "You got him drunk and married him, eh? And Lilas helped
you, I suppose. Fine! They're crooks, Bob, and they've made a fool
of you." Bob checked the speech on Lorelei's lips with an upraised
hand, then said slowly, with a painful effort to sober himself:
"You're--mistaken, Jarvis. She's an honest girl and a good one,
too good for me. You mus' 'pologize."