so much if the answer came.

"Don't ask me!" cried Bansemer. "You would be the last I'd tell.
Marry her, and be dammed!"

"I don't believe you know," cried Graydon.

"Ah, you think I'll tell you?" triumphantly.

"I don't want to know." He sat down, his moody gaze upon his
father. Neither spoke for many minutes. Neither had the courage.
James Bansemer finally started up with a quick look at the door.
Droom was speaking to someone in the outer office.

"Go now," he said harshly; "I want to be alone."

"Father, are you--are you afraid of these charges?" His father
laughed shortly and extended his hand to the young man.

"Don't worry about me. They can't down James Bansemer. You may
leave Chicago; I'll stay! Goodbye, Graydon!"

"Good-bye, dad!"

They shook hands without flinching and the young man left the room.
On the threshold the father called after him:

"Where do you expect to go?"

"I don't know!"