I was going to ask you," said Presson with decision.
"It's about the girl whom I saw--"

"The name of no other person belongs in this discussion," broke in
Harlan, firmly. "I refuse to permit that name to be dragged in, for it's
insult and scandal."

There was silence in the room. The chairman looked at Harlan, impressed
by his demeanor. He knew the young man well enough to think twice before
he persisted. Thelismer Thornton smoked hard, scowling. He was a little
cautious about thrusting himself further into a matter that he knew
would test the Thornton spirit in his grandson.

But Linton was determined to win his point. He thought he saw his
opportunity. He hoped he could force a break between Presson and the
other suitor.

"I'm interested in this matter as much as any one," he declared. "I have
not told you the full story, Mr. Presson. But I'm here to see this
matter straightened out for good and all, and unless you get an answer
from this man, as a father ought to, I'll see that you have the facts to
put you right."

"Linton, didn't I tell you last night that you were circulating a lie?"
Harlan's face was gray.

"If it's a lie why are you afraid of telling Mr. Presson the whole truth
and explaining the matter?" insisted Linton with a lawyer's pertinacity
in extracting evidence. He realized that if young Thornton talked, even
to admit the facts that information from the north country seemed to
prove, a bit of impromptu cross-examination might yield results that
would help the Linton cause.

"I refuse because every word that is said on the subject is a gross
insult to an innocent girl," declared Harlan, passionately. "And I warn
you that if you open your mouth again you'll get the only thing a man
can give you and remain a man!"

"You'd better take the hint, Linton," advised the Duke. "I don't know
exactly what you're driving at, but you're heading toward trouble. They
don't do things up our way as they do in a city court-room."

Linton was angry, desperate, and he was as stalwart as the other. He was
not inclined to let that opportunity pass.

Defiantly he plunged into the story that Spinney had reported. To his
astonishment Harlan rushed for the door. He went out and slammed it
behind him.

A project had come to him, prompted by his furious rage which mocked
common-sense. A man more accustomed to the conventions would not have
attempted it. But all his north-country passion rioted in him at that
moment