ou must."

The men eyed each other steadily for a moment, then Buddy demanded,
querulously, "What have you got against her, anyhow?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"She told me everything there is to tell an' I told you. I don't care
what she's done--if she ever done anything. She's had a hard time."

"Will you wait forty-eight hours?"

"No."

"Twenty-four?"

"Gimme that ring!" When Gray made no move the speaker ran on,
excitedly: "I'm a man. I'm of age. It's none of your business what I
do--nor Pa's or Ma's, either. It won't do no good for them to come."

Gray went to the door, locked it and pocketed the key. "Buddy"--his
voice was firm, his face was set--"you are a man, yes, although you
were only a boy a few weeks ago. You are going to act like a man, now."

"You goin' to try an' _hold_ me here?" The inquiry was one of mingled
astonishment and anger, for young Briskow could scarcely believe his
eyes. "Don't do that, Mr. Gray. I--Nobody can't _make_ me do anything.
Please don't! That's plumb foolish."

"What if I told you that Miss Montague is--"

Buddy interrupted with a harsh cry. "Damn it! I said I wouldn't listen
to anything against her. I'm tellin' you, again, keep your mouth shut
about her." The youth's face was purple; he was trembling; his fists
were clenched, and with difficulty he restrained even a wilder
outburst. "You can have the ring, but--you lemme out of here, quick."
When this command went unheeded he strode toward the bedroom, intending
to use the other exit, but his caller intercepted him. "Lemme out!" the
young man shouted.

"One of us is going to remain in this room, and I think it will be
you." As Gray spoke he jerked off his coat and flung it aside. "Better
strip, Buddy, if you mean to try it."

Buddy recoiled a step. Incredulously he exclaimed: "You--you wouldn't
try _that_! This is my room. You must be crazy."

"I think I am, indeed, to endure what I have endured these last two
days; to make myself ridiculous; to be humiliated; to risk my business
ruin just to save a young fool from his folly." Impatience, resentment,
anger were in the speaker's tone.

"I never ast you. You butted in--tried to cut me out. That's dirty. You
was lyin' when you said--"

"Have it that way. I've run out of patience."

Ozark Briskow, too, had reached the limit of his endurance; he
exploded. Momentarily he lost his head and cursed Gray vilely. For
answer the latter moved close and sl