would betray his own
brother. Did he not shoot his father--or his alleged father, some years
ago? I asked you not to trust him, Farrington; if I had had my way, he
would never have left this house."

Farrington shook his head.

"It was for the girl's sake I let him go. Yes, yes," he went on, seeing
the look of surprise in the other's face, "it was necessary that I
should have somebody who stood in fear of me, who would further my plans
in that direction. The marriage was necessary."

"You have been, if you will pardon my expressing the opinion," said Dr.
Fall moodily, "just a little bit sentimental, Farrington."

The other turned on him with an oath.

"I want none of your opinions," he said gruffly. "You will never
understand how I feel about this child. I took her from her dead
father, who was one of my best friends, and I confess, that in the early
days the thought of exploiting her fortune did occur to me. But as the
years passed she grew towards me--a new and a beautiful influence in
life, Fall. It was something that I had never had before, a factor which
had never occurred in my stormy career. I grew to love the child, to
love her more than I love money, and that is saying a lot. I wanted to
do the right thing for her, and when my speculations were going wrong
and I had to borrow from her fortune I never had any doubt but what I
should be able to pay it back. When all the money went,"--his voice sank
until it was little more than a whisper,--"and I realized that I had
ruined the one human being in the world whom I loved, I took the step
which of all my crimes I have most regretted. I sent George Doughton out
of the way in order that I might scheme to marry Doris to the Tollington
millionaire. For I knew the man we were seeking was Doughton. I killed
him," he said defiantly, "for the sake of his son's wife. Oh, the irony
of it!" He raised his hand with a harsh laugh. "The comedy of it! As to
Poltavo," he went on more calmly, "I let him go because, as I say, I
wanted him to further my object. That he failed, or that he was remiss,
does not affect the argument. Doris is safely married," he mused; "if
she does not love her husband now, she will love him in time. She
respects Frank Doughton, and every day that passes will solidify that
respect. I know Doris, and I know something of her secret thoughts and
her secret wishes. She will forget me,"--his voice shook,--"please God
she will forget me."

He changed the s