ed brain and
speculation to make up the losses, have, between them, resulted in
chaos. I'm too sick to value what I own, and no accountant can. I ran
things myself too long, and no one was fit to take hold when I
slackened my grip. But there's still the business, and there's still
the name, and the one man in this province I can trust them to is you.
I should have let go before, but I was greedy--greedy for my daughter's
sake."

"It is comprehensible." Geoffrey spoke with conviction. "So far as I
can serve you, you can command me."

"I know it," was the answer. "What's more, I feel it in me that you
will not lose by it. Lord, how hard it is, but there's no use whining
when brought up sharp by one's own folly. But see here, Geoffrey
Thurston, if Helen will take you willingly I can trust her to you; but
if, when I go under, she looks beyond you, and you attempt to trade
upon her gratitude or her aunt's favor, my curse will follow you.
Besides, if I know Helen Savine, she will be able to repay you full
measure should you win her so."

For just a moment the old flame of quick anger burned in Geoffrey's
eyes. Then he responded.

"I regret you even imagine I could take an dishonorable advantage of
your daughter. God forbid that I should ever bring sorrow upon Miss
Savine. All I ask is a fair field and the right to help her according
to her need."

"Forgive me!" returned Savine. "Of late I have grown scared about her
future. I believe you, Thurston; I can't say more. I felt the more
sure of you when you told me straight out about what was born in you.
Lord, how I envied you! The man who can stand those devils off can do
most anything. It was when my wife died they got their claws on me. I
was trying to forget my troubles by doing three men's work, but you
can't fool with nature, and I'd done it too long already. Anyway, when
I couldn't eat or sleep, they had their opportunity. At first they
made my brain work quicker, but soon after I fell in with you I knew
that, unless he had a good man beside him, Savine's game was over. But
I wouldn't be beaten. I was holding on for Helen's sake to leave her a
fortune and a name.

"All this is getting monotonous to you but let me finish when I can."
Savine waited a moment to regain his breath. "I cheated the nurse and
doctor to-day, and I'll be very like a dead man to-morrow. You must go
down to my offices and overhaul everything; then come right back and
we