“I--I don't believe I can realize on them just now. They are--are down just at present. They--”
“I don't care to reveal my private business, Richard.”
“It happens to be my business, too. I'm in trouble. I must know. I shall stay here till I find out. You may as well come across.”
“As soon as I can arrange it--I will tell you. Very soon now!”
He snapped himself out of his chair and went across the room to her. He put his hands on her shoulders and bent his face to hers.
“No,” she whispered, his eyes dominating her.
“What did you do with that money I loaned you?”
“What debt? Answer! This thing must be cleared up--_now_!”
“No more hysterics, Mrs. Kilgour. We are now down to cases. Something bad will happen if you don't confide in me.”
Then, cornered, with the impulse of weak natures to seek support from stronger--to appeal to a victor who cannot be eluded--she blurted the truth.
“They got to suspecting me when I was cashier for Dalton & Company. I heard they were going to put experts upon my books, Dicky. I didn't want to go to jail. I would have disgraced Kate. I knew you loved her and would not want her mother to be arrested. I had to have that money. I told you the story about the stocks. So I was saved from being disgraced.”
“Oh, you were?” His eyes flamed so furiously that she turned her gaze from him.
“And now I feel better, for I have confided in you and you're going to be my good and true friend from now on. It will be made up to you, Dicky.”
“What had you done with all that money you took from Dalton & Company?”
“It costs so much to live--and keep up the position I had when Andrew was alive! A woman needs so many things, Richard. I have always been proud. I was obliged to--”
He swore and swung away from her. “Wasted it on dress and jewelry! You turned the trick on one man and put him underground. And I'm the next victim! I knew I was being played for a sucker, but, oh--”
He battered his fists against the wall in pure ecstasy of rage. Then he sat down and put his face in his hands.
The woman clucked sobs which did not ring true.
“I wonder what Kate would say if she knew how I had come to the scratch. She knew her father was a hero. I wonder whether she would think I am one!” he said, after silence had continued for a long time.