ntage of his death to
defile his memory. Oh, if I had known, I--I would have--"

"Hush, hush, Dora! If you knew what my mother has suffered, and if you
could look into my father's stricken heart, you'd be willing to overlook
a great deal. When I get out of the country, I'm going to make a fresh
start. Ormsby has set spies around the house like flies, and, as you've
thrown him over now, he'll be doubly venomous. I only wanted to set
myself right in your eyes, and absolve you from all pledges."

"But I don't want to be absolved," sobbed Dora, dropping on her knees
again, and seeking his breast. "Oh, Dick, Dick, you are braver than they
know. Was it not easier to face the firing party than to endure the
ignominy of this unmerited disgrace?"

"There's no help for it. I must go through with it. Don't shake my
courage. A man must stick up for his mother."

"Oh, Dick, there must be some other way."

"There is no other--unless--unless my grandfather consents to acknowledge
those checks, and declares that the alterations were made with his
knowledge. But that he will not do--because he knows who did it--and he
is merciless. I don't care a snap of my finger for the world. You are my
world, Dora. If you approve, then I am game. I shall be all right in a
few days, and then--then I'll go and do my bit of time, and see the
inside of Sing-Sing. It'll be amusing. There's a cab. That's mother come
home."

"Oh, I can't face her!" cried Dora, with hardening mouth.

"Go away without seeing her, darling. Promise you won't reveal what I've
told you."

"I can't promise. It's horrible!"

"You must--you must, little girl."

And in the end, much against her will, she was persuaded to keep silence.

CHAPTER XXV

TRACKED

Vivian Ormsby refused to abandon all hope of winning Dora. He believed
that, if he got Dick Swinton into jail, it would crush her romance
forever. In his pride, he disdained appeal to Colonel Dundas. He knew her
father's view, and did not doubt that pressure would be brought to bear
from that quarter. Dora could not well marry a penniless convict, and the
colonel's wealth was worth a little submission to parental authority.
Dora would soon change her tone when all illusions were shattered. She
was far too sensible to ruin her life by a reckless marriage. Time was on
his side. Every hour that passed must intensify her humiliation.

He had realized the necessity of prompt action, and was in closest touch
w