"I am not jesting. It is the truth, I swear it," snapped Elias.

"But, great Heaven, man, consider what you've said. It's one of
the best families in this country-it's preposterous to say--"

"Of course, her family is one of the best. She was a blue stocking.
That's where Miss Cable gets most of her good blood."

"My God, Elias, I can't believe it!" cried Graydon.

Jane was staring blankly at the old man's face.

"Your father will tell you the same. For more than twenty years
I have known the secret. There is no documentary proof, but this
much I do know: James Bansemer received fifty thousand dollars for
keeping his mouth closed. He found out the truth and he profited
by it as usual. Oh, he knew that hundred dollar bills are not left
with pauper babes. I don't know how he unearthed the truth about
Miss--"

"Sh! Don't mention the name aloud!"

"But he did unearth it, beyond all possible chance of mistake. Your
father, Miss Cable, is sitting at that table. Don't look up just
yet. He is staring at you. He doesn't know you, but he does know
you are a pretty woman. The gentleman with the grey hair, Graydon.
See? That man is her father."

Graydon half started up in his chair, his lips apart, his eyes