Her eyes spoke the truth, however. The girl sank limp and helpless
in Graydon's arms and knew no more. At the foot of the steps Rigby
was pointing his trembling finger at James Bansemer.

"You'll pay for this to-morrow!" he was saying. "Your day has come!
You cutthroat! You blackmailer!"

"Graydon!" called the father. "Come, let us go home. Come, boy!"

"Not now--not now," answered the son hoarsely. "I'll--I'll try to
come home to-night, father. I'm not sure that I can. My place is
here--with her."

Without a word James Bansemer turned and rushed out into the street,
tears of rage and disappointment in his eyes. He had not expected
the gall. Until the break of day he sat in his chill room waiting
for the rasp of his son's night key--but Graydon did not come home.






CHAPTER XX

FATHER AND SON