lse." He paused, sighed, and in a phrase summed up and
crystallized the whole philosophy of the medical quack: "Life's a
cut-throat game, anyway."

"And we're living on the blood," said Hal. "It's a good thing," he added
slowly, "that I didn't know you as you are before Milly Neal's death."

"Why so?"

"Because," cried the son fiercely, "I'd have published the whole truth
of how she died and why, in the 'Clarion.'"

"It isn't too late yet," retorted Dr. Surtaine with pained dignity, "if
you wish to strike at the father who hasn't been such a bad father to
you. But would you have told the truth of your part in it?"

"My part in it?" repeated Hal, in dull puzzlement. "You mean the ad?"

"You know well enough what I mean. Boy-ee, Boy-ee,"--there was an edge
of genuine agony in the sonorous voice,--"we've drawn far apart, you and
I. Is all the wrong on my side? Can you judge me so harshly, with your
own conscience to answer?"

"What I've got on my conscience you've put there. You've made me turn
back on every principle I have. I've dishonored myself and my office
for you. You've cost me the respect of the men I work with, and the
faith of the best friend I've got in the world."

"The _best_ friend, Boy-ee?" questioned the Doctor gently.

"The best friend: McGuire Ellis."

Hal's gaze met his father's. And what he saw there all but unmanned him.
From the liquid depths of the old quack's eyes, big and soft like an
animal's, there welled two great tears, to trickle slowly down the set
face.

Hal turned and stumbled from the office.

Hardly knowing whither he went, he turned in at the first open door,
which chanced to be Shearson's. There he sat until his self-control
returned. As the aftermath of his anger there remained with him a grim
determination. It was implicit in his voice, as he addressed Shearson,
who walked in upon him.

"Cut out every line of medical from the paper."

"When?" gasped Shearson.

"Now. For to-morrow's paper."

"But, Mr. Surtaine--"

"Every--damned--line. And if any of it ever gets back, the man
responsible loses his job."

"Yes, sir," said the cowed and amazed Shearson.

Hal returned to his sanctum, to find Ellis in his own place and Dr.
Surtaine gone.

"Ellis, you put that motto on my desk."

"Yes."

"What for?"

"Lest we forget," repeated Ellis.

"Not much danger of that," replied his employer bitterly. "Now, I want
you to take it down."

"Is that an order?"

"Woul