d political manipulator for a long time.

"You have money to bet, have you?" he asked.

Mr. Breed languidly drew forth a wallet which would make a valise for
some men and carelessly displayed a thick packet of bills.

"There it is," he said, "and I earned it myself and so I ain't poking it
down any rat-hole without being condemned sure that I'll be able to pull
it all back again with just as much more sticking to it. That wouldn't
be sooavable--and from what you know of me I'm always sooavable."

Dodd looked at the bills, carefully straightened in their packet, and
giving every evidence of having been hoarded with an old man's caution.

There was something about that money which impressed him with the
sincerity of Mr. Breed's belief in his own cause. The young man grew
visibly white around the mouth.

"I'll see you later, Breed," he gulped. "I don't believe you know what
you are talking about--but I'm not national bank on legs. I'll be around
and cover your cash."

He went back into the bar, swallowed a glass of whisky, and went out
and hailed a cab. He directed the driver to carry him to the Trelawny
Apartment.

Mrs. Kilgour admitted him to the vestibule of the suite.

"Is Kate at home?" he demanded.

"Yes, Richard!" She shrank away from him, for his aspect was not
reassuring. "You know--she has given up her work--she is--"

"I know all about it, Mrs. Kilgour. But I want to ask you whether she
has given up her work in order to marry me at once?"

"Why, I--She said--I think it will come about all right, Dicky." She was
pitifully unnerved.

"Have you told her why she must marry me?"

"It is not time to tell her--it is not right--I can't--"

He seized her arm and pulled her into the sitting-room. The daughter
rose and faced them, reproof and astonishment mingling in her
expression.

"This thing is going to be settled here and now," said the lover,
roughly. "There is going to be no more fooling. Has your mother put this
matter up to you so that you understand it, Kate?"

"She has told me that she owes you five thousand dollars," returned
the girl. Her eyes flashed her contempt. "You told me that yourself. I
repeated the statement to her and she admits it."

"But did she tell you how it happens that she owes me that money?"

"For God's sake, Richard, have some pity! This is my own daughter.
I will sell everything. I will slave. I will pay you. Kate, for my
sake--for your own sake, tell him that you wi