. Roger reddened slightly, and was silent until the
others were out of earshot. Then he held out his hand.

"I'm sorry, Joe," he said manfully. "I'm a damn fool when I've got a
load. I hope you'll forget anything I may have said or done."

Faxon took the extended hand a little surprisedly.

"Surest thing you know, Roger. And I'm sorry too. I struck at a sober
man--you understand, don't you? I was too hasty. One forgets. He hears
things--and acts before he thinks. Bad business--but it's over and we'll
bury it."

"That's particularly what I want," said Wynrod, with what seemed to
Faxon rather unnecessary earnestness. "Absolutely buried. I don't want
it to get out at all. I can depend upon Baker...."

"And you can depend upon me," said Faxon heartily. "I won't breathe a
whisper."

"Thanks." They shook hands gravely, and after an embarrassed little
pause, Roger excused himself and went to hunt up his sister.

"About that stuff last night--are you still in earnest?" he asked
doggedly, but not unpleasantly.

She looked at him with a curiously tender expression in her eyes, but
with her jaw firmly set.

"Absolutely, Roger," she said quietly.

But the outburst she expected did not come. Instead, he looked at her
quizzically and smiled.

"Well, sister, maybe there's something in what you say. I've been
thinking about it. But you've set me up against an almighty hard
proposition. I'm willing--but what on earth can I do?"

Judith was tremendously surprised, although she should not have been,
knowing her brother's customary acquiescence in whatever she dictated.
But she concealed her amazement and answered him in as matter-of-fact a
way as she could muster. And Judith was by no means an inferior actress.

"Why don't you see Judge Wolcott?"

"He's a lawyer."

"I know. But he's interested in all sorts of business matters. And
before he went on the bench he was a corporation lawyer. At least he
could tell you who to see."

"The idea is not without merit, sister. I think I'll see the Judge on
Monday. And then watch little Roger proceed to climb the dizzy heights
of industry. I'll show you a thing or two about him you never guessed."

Judith's eyes filled with tears and she threw her arms about his neck.
"Oh, Roger--you're fine. And I _am_ cruel to you. I haven't any business
to treat you this way. You're so much bigger than I am. You'll make a
success--a great success. I know you will. And I will be so proud of
yo