e wide sweep of lawn
where two gardeners were carefully sweeping up the leaves, the borders
beyond it, blazing with dahlias and ranks of choice chrysanthemums,
conveyed the same suggestion of order, wealth and refinement. One might, he
thought, have expected to find some qualities that matched with
these--dignity, power, a fine regard for honor--in the owner of such a
place, but he had not even common courage. An imposing figure, to outward
seeming, the Canadian regarded him as one who owed everything to a little
surface polish and his London clothes.

Lisle paused to look back when he reached the end of the terrace, from
which a path that would save him a short walk led through a shrubbery.
One wing of the building was covered with Virginia creeper that glowed
with the gorgeous hues of a fading maple leaf, the sunlight lay on the
grass, and the feeling of tranquillity that hung about the place grew
stronger. He thought that he could understand how the desire to possess
it would stir an Englishman reared in such surroundings, and yet he was
now convinced that this was not the impulse which had driven Gladwyne
into deserting his starving cousin. The man had merely yielded to craven
fear.

He heard footsteps, and looking around was a little surprised to see
Batley moving toward him.

"You have just called on Gladwyne," Batley began.

Lisle stopped. There was, so far as he knew, nothing to be said in favor
of the man, but his cool boldness was tempered by a certain geniality and
an occasional candor that the Canadian could not help appreciating. He
preferred Batley to Gladwyne.

"That's so," he agreed.

"I'm inclined to think your visit concerned me. I've noticed your
interest in young Crestwick--it's obvious--I don't know whether one could
say the same of the cause of it?"

"We won't discuss that. If you have anything to say to me, you had better
adopt a less offensive style."

Batley smiled good-humoredly.

"You're quick at resenting things. I don't see why you should expect a
longer patience from me."

"I don't expect anything from you," Lisle informed him. "In proof of it,
I'll mention that I called to tell Gladwyne he must keep you off of Jim
Crestwick."

He made a slip in the last few words, which the other quickly noticed.

"Ordered him, in fact," he said.

Lisle made no answer and Batley resumed:

"You have some kind of a hold on Gladwyne; so have I. Of course, it's no
news to you. I'm a little c