rcy should be exercised now. Garry had never done one dishonest act
before, and never, God helping, should he be judged for this.

He, John Breen, let Garry be called a common thief! Garry whose every
stand in Corklesville had been for justice; Garry whom Morris loved,
whose presence brought a cheery word of welcome from every room he
entered! Let him be proclaimed a defaulter, insulted by ruffians like
McGowan, and treated like a felon--brilliant, lovable, forceful Garry!
Never, if he had to go down on his knees to Holker Morris or any other
man who could lend him a dollar.

Corinne must have seen the new look in his face, for her own eyes
brightened as she asked:

"Have you thought of something that can help him?"

Jack did not answer. His mind was too intent on finding some thread
which would unravel the tangle.

"Does anybody else know of this, Corinne?" he asked at last in a
low-pitched voice.

"Nobody."

"Nobody must," he exclaimed firmly. Then he added gently--"Why did you
tell me?"

"He asked me to. It would all have come out in the end, and he didn't
want you to see McGowan and not know the truth. Keep still--some one is
knocking," she whispered, her fingers pressed to her lips in her fright.
"I know it is McGowan, Jack. Shall I see him, or will you?"

"I will--you stay here."

Jack lifted himself erect and braced back his shoulders. He intended to
be polite to McGowan, but he also intended to be firm. He also intended
to refuse him any information or promise of any kind until the regular
monthly meeting of the Church Board which would occur on Monday. This
would give him time to act, and perhaps to save the situation, desperate
as it looked.

With this in his mind he turned the key and threw wide the door. It
was the doctor who stood outside. He seemed to be laboring under some
excitement.

"I heard you were here, Mr. Breen--come upstairs."

Jacked obeyed mechanically. Garry had evidently heard of his being
downstairs and had some instructions to give, or some further confession
to make. He would save him now from that humiliation; he would get his
arms around him, as Corinne had done, and tell him he was still his
friend and what he yet intended to do to pull him through, and that
nothing which he had done had wrecked his affection for him.

As these thoughts rushed over him his pace quickened, mounting the
stairs two steps at a time so that he might save his friend even a
moment of additio