"No one speaks," said the old man, quietly; "well then, the old inventor has to come to the front again, as he always has since we held the first meeting, and had to look starvation in the face. Hark ye here, boys," he continued in a low, deep whisper; "I have turned it all over in my mind, and there is only one thing to be done. I am not going to be troubled about the disposal of what is, after all--speaking as a chemist--so much matter which has to be resolved rapidly into its primary constituents. There is the far cellar beneath the other house; we must dig there. Then a few bags of cement, and a carboy of acid, etcetera, and the matter is at an end." Dennis drew a deep breath, and a low, hissing sound arose, which Chester felt must have come from between Robert Clareborough's teeth. "Well, have I spoken rightly?" said the old man. "Yes, that's right," said James Clareborough. "You others are silent, but of course you acquiesce. You must keep the women down at The Towers, or take them to the Riviera for a month, and your aunt will know nothing more. There, the administrative has spoken; it is for the executive to go to work." "The executive has done its work," said James Clareborough, sharply, "while you two stood behind a door and listened." Chester felt a spasm run through Marion as these words were spoken. "Well, well," said the old man; "you two are young and strong, and have steady hands. I do not wish to hang back from anything for ensuring the safety and prosperity of all. Robert, my boy, my muscles are not what they were; I shall be obliged to ask you to help me." Another spasm ran through Marion, and Chester, as they stood there in the darkness, felt her crane forward as if to hear her brother's answer. It came on the instant, in sharp, fierce tones,--"No, uncle. I wash my hands of it all. I cannot help what has passed, and I will be silent for the benefit of all, but help further in this--no, I would sooner die!" "What!" cried James Clareborough, savagely. "Curse you, then, die, and rid us of our miserable clog. Look here, all of you--I will not stand by and let him sneak out of the business in this cursed cowardly way. You, Rob--you have got to help the old man over this, or--" "Or what?" cried Rob, as fiercely. Marion made a movement as if to rush to her brother's help, but Chester tightened his grasp. "My dear Jem! My dear Rob! for Heaven's sake!" cried the professor, interposing. "You hold your tongue, old man," cried James Clareborough, springing up; "I've had enough of this. For a year past now I've had to put up with his cursed objections, and hanging back from nearly everything, like the coward he is, and I'll have no more of it. Paddy and I have done our bit of work to save the family from utter ruin and destruction, and now he is asked to help you in necessary work he begins to ride the high horse and dictate. I say he shall help you, and at once, or, if I hang for it, I'll make him."