, irritably: "Well, well? Why in hell don't you say something?"

"There is nothing to say."

"What? My God, man! You don't mean--See here, you're not a coward, or a
thief, or an incompetent. What's your side of the story? What's the
explanation?"

"Explanations are hateful. The man who makes them deceives either
himself or the other fellow--usually both. It is easy to be plausible.
Would a mere statement from me, unsupported by proof, convince you
where it failed to convince a court martial? Of course not. Then why
make you uncomfortable by doubting my word?" Gray's smile was like the
mirthless grin of a mummy. "I was found guilty, all in due military
order, and--disgraced, branded! My uniform was taken from me, and I
can't wear it again. I can never again serve my country. It was handled
quietly, with admirable discretion, for those things are bad for the
morale, you understand? Very few know about it. I'm a proud man, a vain
man; I assure you the death penalty would have been much easier to
bear."

"What did Henry Nelson have to do with it?"

"He alone can answer that."

"An extraordinary situation! This is your revenge, eh?"

"As a man of spirit, I had a choice of but two things, revenge
or--suicide."

"Hm-m! It is an embarrassing situation for me."

"Indeed?"

"Nelson has sold a large block of his bank stock to one of our
directors."

"Tell him to get out from under, quick," Gray said, sharply, "for I'll
break Henry Nelson or--I'll kill him!"

"Tut, tut! You're excited. You mustn't talk like that. I give you
credit for an honest hatred, but--I can't sympathize with it. Neither
can I believe so ill of Henry Nelson. Remember, I've known him and Bell
for years." With a complete finality the banker concluded, "You'll have
to give it up, Gray."

"I beg pardon?"

"I say we sha'n't permit you to go on with this murderous feud. We
can't be parties to it. What you've told me warrants us in withdrawing
our support instantly, but I--I--Damn it all, I can't help liking you
and believing in you! Frankly, there's something sublime about a grudge
like yours. However, we can't go on like this. We can't put up more
money now that we know what you have in mind. Call this thing off and
perhaps I can induce our crowd to leave their money in until it can be
worked out. That's the most I can undertake."

"I need your money and your support now more than ever," the other man
gravely confessed. "I need it at once; to-d