o the object of your visit is blackmail?" he said. "You will fail in
this, as you will also fail in your effort to force Mr. Gorham's hand.
You have been misinformed--I have bought no stock."

Harris took a package of papers from his pocket and selected a single
sheet on which were written certain figures.

"I was afraid it might be a little hard to convince you that we had the
goods on you," he remarked. "Those are the numbers of the certificates
you hold, and here is the total number of shares. Pretty good-looking
list, isn't it?--and it's worth a lot of money."

"These mean nothing to me," Covington insisted. "I repeat, I do not own
a share of stock in the New York Street Railways Company."

"No, but your stool-pigeon does. Why, bless your heart, not one share of
that stock has changed hands these last twelve months without being run
down by Brady. Had to do it, you know, to make sure our deal would go
through. Brady owns that man who bought the stock for you body and soul.
Now, how does it look to you, son? Will you come with me and talk with
Brady, or shall I see the virtuous Mr. Gorham and show him what you've
been doing on the side?"

Covington's face was as impassive as ever when he turned again, looking
his companion straight in the eye.

"You won't do it?" Harris asked, surprised. "Better think--"

"I shall be very glad to see Mr. Brady with you," was the unexpected
answer.

XI

The Gorham residence was located on Riverside Drive near Grant's Tomb,
commanding a superb view of the Hudson River in both directions. The
massive stone house stood well back from the street in the midst of an
extravagant amount of land for a New York city home, and the high wall
protected a beautiful garden, in the use of which the whole family took
much pleasure during the spring and fall. Thither the Gorhams returned
after their sojourn in Washington, glad to exchange their cramped
quarters at the hotel for the home comforts which they found there.
Alice was full of her new business responsibilities and eager to assume
charge of her "department"; Mrs. Gorham, restored to her home city and
her early friends by her present marriage, looked forward to an
enjoyable "season"; Patricia and her beloved pony were reunited; and
Gorham himself, flushed with the continuing success of his gigantic
enterprise, plunged more deeply than ever into its manifold
transactions.

The remaining member of the family--for such he alway