ond doubt much of what he had heard in the stuffy
hotel room was true. It would not be Charles's way to incriminate
himself so far unless driven to it by direst necessity. It was clear
that he was alarmed for his personal safety. Fred did not doubt that
Charles had attempted to swindle him; had in fact gone the full length
of doing so. His simple, direct nature was awed by a confession that
combined so many twists and turns, so many oblique lines and loops and
circles. He sank into a creaky rocker, and rapped the arm idly with his
pipe-bowl, conscious that Charles hovered over him as though fearful
that he might escape.

"Come back to life, can't you! It's not much I'm asking of you; it won't
cost you anything to help tide this thing over with Kirkwood. And you
get your share right now--to-night. Why--" His lip curled with scornful
depreciation as he began again to minimize the importance of the
transaction.

Fred shook himself impatiently.

"Please don't! Don't go over that story again or I may do something
ugly. Sit down over there in that chair."

He bent forward, his elbows on his knees and gesticulated with the pipe,
speaking slowly.

"Let's shake the chaff out and see what's left of all this. You stole my
share of those bonds, and now that you're in danger of getting caught
you want me to help you hide the boodle. You flatter me with the idea
that my reputation is so much better than yours that I'm in a position
to keep you out of jail. And for a little thing like that you're willing
to give me my honest share of a crooked deal! You're a wonder, Charlie!
It must have tickled you to death to see me turning my poor old farm
over to Kirkwood to uphold the family honor while you were chasing over
the country with the real stuff packed away with your pajamas. It's
picturesque, I must say!"

His eyes rested upon his brother's face lingeringly, but his tone and
manner were indulgent, as though he were an older brother who had caught
a younger one in a misdemeanor.

"Cut that out! I've told you the whole truth. If you won't help, all
right."

"No, it isn't all right. There's no all right about any of this. It's
rotten clean through."

He frowned with the stress of his thought, then rose, and began
buttoning his coat.

"Well?" Charles questioned harshly, impatient for his brother's
decision.

"I won't do it. I won't have anything to do with your scheme. After the
trouble you've taken to steal those bonds it