a good
many lessons, not the least of which is how to turn ideals into business
assets. I would suggest that you don't give yourself a great deal of
anxiety over his 'broken heart.'"

Covington's conversation with Allen was as frank and cordial as the boy
could have asked, yet between the two there was a barrier beyond which
Allen could not venture to pass. But the ice was broken, and this first
conversation which approached even a semblance of friendliness might
open the way for more important conferences in the future.

Gorham, during these days, was working hard to discover the real crux in
Buckner's affairs. His secret-service men supplied him with a detailed
record of the man's history, and reported frequent interviews between
him and Levy or Levy's agents. Gorham had even seen the lawyer himself,
but gained only a deeper conviction that it was a case of blackmail for
revenue only. Levy laid before him all the papers in the case with
praiseworthy frankness. He would even have extended his sympathy,
except that his first efforts in this direction had not been received in
the spirit he thought they should have been. If Buckner's statement was
correct, there had been a cruel blunder on the part of Eleanor's
counsel; yet unless he was certain of his ground, Gorham could not
comprehend his daring to place himself in so dangerous a position.
Already the machinery was in motion to settle this point, but so far the
telegrams from the Colorado lawyers threw no light on the situation.
James Riley made frequent reports, drawing liberal expense accounts each
time he called, but as yet no single fact had been unearthed which gave
any promise of relief. Gorham relished an open fight, but this guerilla
warfare, threatening Eleanor's happiness and peace of mind, caused him
real anxiety.

Eleanor's attitude throughout this period puzzled him not a little. The
more he thought the matter over, the more convinced he was that she was
right in her position that the question of the legality of the divorce
must be settled once and for all and at whatever cost. There must be
some way to arrive at this point without the necessity of a public
trial, but even if it came to that the facts must be established. Yet as
Gorham gradually came squarely over to his wife's viewpoint, Eleanor
seemed to be coming nearer to accepting the one which he had originally
advanced. This was what mystified him. He recognized that what she had
told him, when t