“Very well,” he said darkly, “you go your own way. You won't take my advice. I've been a City man all my life, and I know a thing or two. You bring Monty to the general meeting of the Bekwando Company and explain his position, and I tell you, you'll have the whole market toppling about your ears. No concern of mine, of course. I have got rid of a few of my shares, and I'll work a few more off before the crash. But what about you? What about Scarlett Trent, the millionaire?” “I can afford to lose a bit,” Trent answered quietly, “I'm not afraid.” Da Souza laughed a little hysterically. “You think you're a financial genius, I suppose,” he said, “because you've brought a few things off. Why, you don't know the A B C of the thing. I tell you this, my friend. A Company like the Bekwando Company is very much like a woman's reputation, drop a hint or two, start just a bit of talk, and I tell you the flames'll soon do the work.” Trent turned his back upon him. “Monty,” he said, “you aren't afraid to come with me?” Monty looked at him, perplexed and troubled. “You've nothing to be afraid of,” Trent continued. “As to the money at Mr. Walsh's house, I settled that all up with him before I left Attra. It belonged to you really, for I'd left more than that for you.” “There is no one, then,” Monty asked in a slow, painful whisper, “who will put me in prison?” “I give you my word, Monty,” Trent declared, “that there is not a single soul who has any idea of the sort.” “You see, it isn't that I mind,” Monty continued in a low, quivering voice, “but there's my little girl! My real name might come out, and I wouldn't have her know what I've been for anything.” “She shall not know,” Trent said, “I'll promise you'll be perfectly safe with me.” Monty rose up weakly. His knees were shaking, and he was in a pitiful state. He cast a sidelong glance at the brandy bottle by his side, and his hand stole out towards it. But Trent stopped him gently but firmly. “Not now, Monty,” he said, “you've had enough of that!” The man's hand dropped to his side. He looked into Trent's face, and the years seemed to fade away into a mist. “You were always a hard man, Scarlett Trent,” he said. “You were always hard on me!” “Maybe so,” Trent answered, “yet you'd have died in D.T. before now but for me! I kept you from it as far as I could. I'm going to keep you from it now!” Monty turned a woebegone face around the little room. “I don't know,” he said; “I'm comfortable here, and I'm too old, Trent, to live your life. I'd begin again, Trent, I would indeed, if I were ten years younger. It's too late now! I couldn't live a day without something to keep up my strength!”