can only save him," she
had said so many times. "Oh, Bronson, I mustn't let him go down and
down, with no one who loves him to hold him back."

In the years that had followed, Bronson had seen her grow worn and
weary, but never hopeless. He had seen her hair grow gray, he had seen
the light go out of her face so that she no longer smiled as she had
smiled in the picture.

But she had never given up the fight. Not even at the last moment.
"You will stay with him, Bronson, and help Derry."

And now this other woman had come to undo all the work that his beloved
mistress had done. And there in the shadowed room she was weaving her
spells.

Outside, snug against the deadly cold in his warm closed car, Derry
waited alone for Bronson's signal.

There was movement at last in the shadowed room. The General spoke
from the bed. Hilda answered him, and rose. She arranged a little
tray with two glasses and a plate of biscuits. Then she crossed the
room towards the bookcase.

Bronson reached up his hand and touched the button which controlled the
lights on the third floor. He saw Hilda raise a startled head as the
faint click reached her. She listened for a moment, and he withdrew
himself stealthily up and out of sight. If she came into the hall she
might see him on the stairs. He had done what he could. He would
leave the rest to Derry.

"What's the matter?" the General asked.

"I thought I heard a sound--but there's no one up. This is our hour,
isn't it?"

She brought the bottle out from behind the books. Then she came and
stood by the side of the bed.

"Will you drink to my happiness, General?"

She was very handsome. "To our happiness," he said, eagerly, and
unexpectedly, as he took the glass.

Hilda, pouring out more wine for herself, stood suddenly transfixed.
Derry spoke from the threshold. "Dr. McKenzie has asked you repeatedly
not to give my father wine, Miss Merritt."

He was breathing quickly. His hat was in his hand and he wore his fur
coat. "Why are you giving it to him against the Doctor's orders?"

The General interposed. "Don't take that tone with Miss Merritt,
Derry. I asked her to get it for me, and she obeyed my orders. What's
the matter with that?"

"Dr. McKenzie said, explicitly, that you were not to have it."

"Dr. McKenzie has nothing to do with it. You may tell him that for me,
I am not his patient any longer."

"Father--"

"Certainly not. Do you think I am goi