."

The captive halted between the master and the vassals.

"I'm going to crucify my feelings a little more, Mayo," stated Marston.
"Step forward here where those men can't hear. It's important."

Marston knocked softly on a stateroom door and his daughter came forth.
She gasped when she saw this ragged visitor, and in her stare there was
real horror.

"I haven't been able to sift this thing to the bottom. By facing you
two, as I'm doing, I may be able to get the truth of the case," said
Marston, with the air of a magistrate dealing with malefactors. "Now,
Alma, I'll allow you a minute or two to use your tongue on this fine
specimen before my men use their bars."

"I heard what my father offered you. You must take it."

"I have other men to consider--honest men, who have worked hard with
me."

He trembled in their presence. Her appearance put sane thoughts out of
his head and choked the words in his throat. He saw himself in a mirror
and wondered if this were not a dream--if it had not been a dream that
she had ever loved him.

He wanted to put out to her his mutilated hands which he was hiding
behind him. He yearned to explain to her the man's side of the case. He
wanted her to understand what he owed to the men who had risked their
lives to serve him, to make her realize the bond which exists between
men who have toiled and starved together.

"You have yourself to consider, first of all. Much depends. In your
silly notions about a lot of paupers you are throwing my father's
kindness in his face!"

He stammered, unable to frame coherent reply.

"Be sensible. You have no right to put a heap of scrap-iron and a lot of
low creatures ahead of your personal interests."

There was malice in Marston's eyes. He saw an opportunity to make Mayo's
position even more false in the opinion of the girl.

"I'll be entirely frank, Mayo. In spite of our personal differences, I
want your services--I need them. I have found out that you're a young
man of determination and plenty of ability. I'll put you ahead fast if
you'll come over with me. But you must come clean. No strings on you
with that other crowd."

"I can't sell 'em out. I won't do it," protested Mayo. He did not
exactly understand all the reasons for his obstinacy. But his instinct
told him that Julius Marston was not descending in this manner except
for powerful reasons, and that he was attempting to buy a traitor for
his uses.

"How do you dare to turn ag