t smile.

"One of the most concerned," he answered with a smile not so composed as
her own. "It's the honour of the name that's at stake."

"You want to ruin Mr. Grier's chances in the fight?"

"I didn't say that. I said, 'the honour of the name,' and the name of my
firm is 'Grier's Company of Lumbermen.' So I'm in it with all my might,
and here's a letter--I haven't posted it yet--saying to Carnac Grier
where I stand. Will you read it? There's no reason why you shouldn't."
He tore open the envelope and took the letter out.

Junia took it, after hesitation, and read it till she came to the
sentence about Carnac returning to the business. She looked up,
startled.

"What does that mean?" she asked, pointing to the elusive sentence.

"He might want to come into the business some day, and I'll give him his
chance. Nothing more than that."

"Nothing more than that!" she said cynically. "It's bravely said, but
how can he be a partner if he can't buy the shares?"

"That's a matter to be thought out," he answered with a queer twist to
his mouth.

"I see you've offered to help him with cash for the election," she said,
handing back the letter.

"I felt it had to be done. Politics are expensive they sap the purse.
That's why."

"You never thought of giving him an income which would compensate a
little for what his father failed to do for him?"

There was asperity in her tone.

"He wouldn't take from me what his father didn't give him." Suddenly an
idea seized him. "Look here," he said, "you're a friend of the Griers,
why don't you help keep things straight between the two concerns? You
could do it. You have the art of getting your own way. I've noticed
that."

"So you'd like me to persuade Fabian Grier to influence Belloc, because
I'd make things easy for you!" she said briskly. "Do you forget I've
known Fabian since I was a baby, that my sister is his wife, and that
his interests are near to me?"

He did not knuckle down. "I think it would be helping Fabian's
interests. Belloc and Fabian Grier are generally in the wrong, and to
keep them right would be good business-policy. When I've trouble with
Belloc's firm it's because they act like dogs in the manger. They seem
to hate me to live."

She laughed--a buoyant, scornful laugh. "So all the fault is in Belloc
and Fabian, is it?" She was impressed enormously by his sangfroid and
will to rule the roost. "I think you're clever, and that you've got
plenty of hors