"Avoid all conferences with the Stevens firm, or any one bearing the Stevens name," said Tarrant, shaking his hand. "To deal with them in any way will bring you and your daughter, both, misfortune." "But how is my business here to be carried forward?" asked the old man. "Take heed! If you went to them now, you could merely state what you suspect," said Tarrant. "You would be placing yourself in their hands, for you have no proof of anything. My advice to you is to wait." He nodded to the old man understandingly. "Of course, an indefinite stay here will be expensive, and your means are limited; I know that. But I have suggested a way of surmounting the difficulty. Money can be had readily; old Bulfinch is your man; you have only to ask him for it." "You are kind," said Monsieur Lafargue. "I should feel helpless and alone, indeed, without you." Tarrant went with them to their carriage; and when he had handed them in, and their driver sat with the reins in his hands, he said: "Remember what I have told you--both to-day and to-night. I repeat it all now. Keep to yourselves. Do not trust the firm of Stevens--especially do not trust young Anthony of that name; he is, as I have shown you, the most ruthless of them all. Have no confidences with any one; be silent, and you will win through." Then Tarrant went back to the supper-room; the big young man was seated at the table; and across from him was a white-haired old man, with the rosy, gentle face of a saint. "Good!" said Tarrant, at sight of the old man. "I had hoped you'd not keep us waiting, old moneybags!" The new-comer laughed; it was a laugh that had a soothing, oily quality; one white hand stroked his well-shaven chin. "I strive to be prompt," said he. "It's a virtue that has a deal of value in a business way. And being early to-night repaid me in an unexpected way; for while I waited in the public room I witnessed your encounter with Captain Weir." Tarrant sat down; with his elbows on the table, his chin in his hands, he cursed in cold anger. "Some day," he said, "I'll drive a bullet through that man's skull, so help me God!" But the saintly old man held up a protesting hand. "No, no!" said he. "Oh, no! We are friends. We are all friends together. We have business relations with Captain Weir. No violence; no discord. It would be to the disadvantage of us all." "My thought!" said the big young man. "My thought, exactly, Mr. Bulfinch. Let us put all private matters to one side; for the present, at least, let us work for the common good." Tarrant regarded them both with cold eyes. "Is it for the common good that Weir affronts me at almost every turn?" said he. "Am I possessed of more patience than the run of men, that I'm continually asked to bear his impertinence?"