thing? He would go over and face
Waterbury; face him and be done with it. He was reckless, desperate.
As he descended the wide veranda steps a man stepped from behind a
magnolia-tree shadowing the broad walk. A clear three-quarter moon was
riding in the heavens, and it picked out Garrison's thin set face.

The man swung up, and tapped him on the shoulder. "Hello, Bud!"

It was Dan Crimmins.

CHAPTER X.

"THEN I WAS NOT HONEST."

Garrison eyed him coldly, and was about to pass when Crimmins barred his
way.

"I suppose when you gets up in the world, it ain't your way to know
folks you knew before, is it?" he asked gently. "But Dan Crimmins has a
heart, an' it ain't his way to shake friends, even if they has money. It
ain't Crimmins' way."

"Take your hand off my shoulder," said Garrison steadily.

The other's black brows met, but he smiled genially.

"It don't go, Bud. No, no." He shook his head. "Try that on those who
don't know you. I know you. You're Billy Garrison; I'm Dan Crimmins.
Now, if you want me to blow in an' tell the major who you are, just say
so. I'm obligin'. It's Crimmins' way. But if you want to help an old
friend who's down an' out, just say so. I'm waitin'."

Garrison eyed him. Crimmins? Crimmins? The name was part of his dream.
What had he been to this man? What did this man know?

"Take a walk down the pike," suggested the other easily. "It ain't often
you have the pleasure of seein' an old friend, an' the excitement is a
little too much for you. I know how it is," he added sympathetically. He
was closely watching Garrison's face.

Garrison mechanically agreed, wondering.

"It's this way," began Crimmins, once the shelter of the pike was
gained. "I'm Billy Crimmins' brother--the chap who trains for Major
Calvert. Now, I was down an' out--I guess you know why--an' so I wrote
him askin' for a little help. An' he wouldn't give it. He's what you
might call a lovin', confidin', tender young brother. But he mentioned
in his letter that Bob Waterbury was here, and he asked why I had left
his service. Some things don't get into the papers down here, an' it's
just as well. You know why I left Waterbury. Waterbury----!"

Here Crimmins carefully selected a variety of adjectives with which to
decorate the turfman. He also spoke freely about the other's ancestors,
and concluded with voicing certain dark convictions regarding Mr.
Waterbury's future.

Garrison listened blankly. "What's all th