and I feel sure, Mr.
Gorham, as I told you before, that some day the public will have to pay
the price. When the dike breaks the flood is going to wipe out all the
advantages which the people have received, and more too."

The boy paused for breath and waited, expecting to hear Gorham's stern
reproaches, but none came. The amazed expression both on Eleanor's and
Alice's faces, however, evidenced the heresy of his words.

"I suppose I am forfeiting all which this family means to me by my
seeming disloyalty to you, Mr. Gorham; but I honestly feel that I am
more loyal than if I played the hypocrite. I see you carrying on the
business of this corporation surrounded by men whose only thought is of
themselves, who accept your judgment simply because it puts dollars into
their pockets, who permit you to exercise your ideals only because they
know that it means profit to them. Yet you have been consistent, you
have been straightforward, you have lived up to the standards which you
have taught me to expect. But can't you see, Mr. Gorham"--the boy held
out both arms supplicatingly--"can't you see that there isn't a single
man in that great organization who feels as you do? Can't you see that
even Senator Kenmore is thinking only of himself?"

"You forget Mr. Covington and--yourself," Gorham answered.

"I don't cut any ice, one way or the other," Allen protested, "but I
haven't forgotten Mr. Covington. I tell you, Mr. Gorham--forgive me,
Alice--Mr. Covington is the worst of all. He's the one who has
influenced the committee to take their stand against you; he's helping
them plan things out now so as to throw you down, hoping to become
president himself; he's trying to marry Alice so that you can't expose
him when you begin to unravel his double cross. I tell you, he's the
slickest Johnnie outside of State's Prison."

"Of course you have unquestionable proof to support all this, Allen?"
Gorham demanded, sternly.

"No, I haven't, and I shouldn't speak; but I know I'm right," was the
dogged reply.

"Do you realize what it means to make such unsubstantiated statements?"

"But I have everything except the actual proofs," he pleaded.

"What else can you have?"

"I know how he's been investing Alice's money for her, for instance."

"What of that; it was done with my consent."

"With your consent?" Allen repeated, bewildered. "Then you knew--with
your principles--"

Gorham was thoroughly angry now, but he delayed replying u