Norman shook his head.

"I can't understand it," ejaculated Tetlow.

"Of course you can't," said Norman. "But--there it is."

"You haven't seen her lately?"

"Not since that day ... Billy, she hasn't--" Norman stopped, and
Tetlow saw that his hands were trembling with agitation, and marveled.

"Oh, no," replied Tetlow. "So far as I know, she's still respectable.
But--why don't you go to see her? I think you'd be cured."

"Why do you say that?" demanded Norman, the veins in his forehead
bulging with the fury he was ready to release.

"For no especial reason--on my honor, Fred," replied Tetlow. "Simply
because time works wonders in all sorts of ways, including infatuations.
Also--well, the fact is, it didn't seem to me that young lady improved
on acquaintance. Maybe I got tired, or piqued--I don't know. If she
hadn't been a silly little fool, would she have refused you? I know it
sounds well--in a novel or a play--for a poor girl to refuse a good
offer, just from sentiment. But, all the same, only a fool girl does
it--in life--eh? But go to see her. You'll understand what I mean, I
think. I want you to brace up. That may help."

"What's she doing?"

"I don't know. I'll send you her address. I can get it. About
Galloway--If that break comes, I propose that we get his business--you
and I. I want you for a partner. I always did. I think I know how to get
work out of you. I understand you better, than anyone else. That's why
I'm here."

"It's useless," said Norman.

"I'm willing to take the risk. Now, here's what I propose. I'll stake
you to the extent of a thousand dollars a month for the next six months,
you to keep on as you are and not to tie yourself up to any other
lawyer, or to any client likely to hamper us if we get the Galloway
business."

"I've been borrowing right and left----"

"I know about that," interrupted Tetlow. "I'm not interested. If you'll
agree to my proposal, I'll take my chances."

"You are throwing away six thousand dollars."

"I owe you a position where I make five times that much."

Norman shrugged his shoulders. "Very well. Can I have five hundred at
once?"

"I'll send you a check to-day. I'll send two checks a month--the first
and the fifteenth."

"I am drinking a great deal."

"You always did."

"Not until recently. I never knew what drinking meant until these last
few months."

"Well, do as you like with the money. Drink it all, if you please. I'm
making no condi