in."

A figure presently stood hesitating in the doorway. James saw an oldish
man, gray and stooped with a rather wistful lost-dog expression on his
face.

"What can I do for you, sir?" he questioned.

"Don't you know me?" the stranger asked with a quaver in his voice.

The lawyer did not, but some premonition of disaster clutched at his
heart. He rose swiftly and closed the door behind his caller.

A faint smile doubtful of its right touched the weak face of the little
old man. "So you don't know your own father--boy!"

A sudden sickness ran through the lawyer and sapped his strength. He
leaned against the desk uncertainly. It had come at last. The whole
world would learn the truth about him. The Merrills, the Fromes,
Valencia Van Tyle--all of them would know it and scorn him.

"What are you doing here?" James heard himself say hoarsely.

"Why, I--I--I came to see my son."

"What for?"

Before so harsh and abrupt a reception the weak smile went out like a
blown candle.

"I thought you'd be glad to see me--after so many years."

"Why should I be glad to see you? What have you ever done for me but
disgrace me?"

Tears showed in the watery eyes. "That's right. It's gospel truth, I
reckon."

"And now, when I've risen above it, so that all men respect me, you come
back to drag me down."

"No--no, I wouldn't do that, son."

"That's what you'll do. Do you think my friends will want to know a man
who is the son of a convict? I've got a future before me. Already I've
been mentioned for governor. What chance would I have when people know
my father is a thief?"

"Son," winced the old man.

"Oh, well! I'm not picking my words," James went on with angry
impatience. "I'm telling you the facts. I've got enemies. Every strong
man has. They'll smash me like an empty eggshell."

"They don't need to know about me. I'll not do any talking."

"That's all very well. Things leak out," James grumbled a little more
graciously. "Well, you better sit down now you're here. I thought you
were living in Arkansas."

"So I am. I've done right well there. And I thought I'd take a little
run out to see you. I didn't know but what you might need a little
help." He glanced aimlessly around the well-furnished office. "But I
expect you don't, from the looks of things."

"If you think I've got money you're wrong," James explained. "I'm just
starting in my profession, and of course I owe a good deal here and
there. I've been ha